Communicable diseases news

Read our latest news items related to communicable diseases.

News

Have your say on Australia’s Sexually Transmissible Infections (STI) Strategy

You can help guide how we continue to improve sexual health in Australia by providing feedback on our draft National STI Strategy. Consultation is now open until 20 December 2024.

$251.7m to establish an independent Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC)

The Australian Government is investing $251.7 million to deliver Australia’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC).

World AIDS Day 2023

World AIDS Day, held on 1 December each year, helps raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. This year’s theme is ‘Inclusion. Respect. Equity.’

End of COVID-19 emergency response

A statement from Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, on the end of the COVID-19 emergency response.

AHPPC statement – End of COVID-19 emergency response

On 20 October 2023, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer declared that COVID-19 is no longer a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance (CDINS) following the end of winter in Australia. The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) supports this declaration.

AHPPC statement – Advice to support safe cruising

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) agreed at its meeting on 16 August 2023 to rescind the current Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) National Guidelines for Cruising in Australia (the CDNA Guidelines). The CDNA Guidelines will be rescinded as of 25 August 2023.

Consultation open for development of the Fourth National Hepatitis B Strategy 2023–2030 and Sixth National Hepatitis C Strategy 2023–2030

We are seeking feedback from health professionals, researchers, community organisations and people living with or affected by hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

Common Operating Picture discontinuation

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Common Operating Picture (COP) has been discontinued.

Young Deadly Free – Safe sex and sexual health

Practising safe sex is everyone's responsibility. Reduce the risk of infection by using condoms and getting regular sexual health checks.

New provider resources about influenza vaccination for First Nations’ people

Vaccination providers play an important role in offering influenza vaccines for First Nations people. New resources are now available to support vaccination providers in having conversations with First Nations’ families.

ATAGI recommendations on use of the Moderna bivalent (Original/Omicron BA.4/5) COVID-19 vaccine

Recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on the use of the Moderna bivalent (Original/Omicron BA.4/5) COVID-19 vaccine.

ATAGI recommendations on use of the Pfizer bivalent (Original/Omicron BA.4/5) COVID-19 vaccine

Recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on the use of the Pfizer bivalent (Original/Omicron BA.4/5) COVID-19 vaccine.

Changes to HPV vaccine dose schedule for young Australians

From 6 February 2023 the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine schedule will become a single dose schedule. Catch-up under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) will also be extended to all Australians 25 years and under.

Mandatory reporting of Japanese encephalitis virus vaccines to the Australian Immunisation Register began on 21 December 2022

From 21 December 2022, vaccination providers must report all Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vaccines administered to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

Ozzie vs Mozzie

The Australian Government has launched a new advertising campaign to encourage Australians to take simple steps to protect themselves against mosquito borne viruses, like Japanese Encephalitis Virus.

ATAGI recommendations for a booster dose of the paediatric Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 years

Recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on Pfizer booster doses for children aged 5 to 11 years.

Prime Minister’s update following the National Cabinet meeting 30 September 2022

Read the Prime Minister’s update following the National Cabinet meeting on 30 September 2022.

ATAGI recommend the COVID-19 vaccination for some children aged 6 months to under 5 years

Australia’s immunisation experts, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, recommend COVID-19 vaccination for some children aged 6 months to under 5 years who have an increased risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccination will help reduce this risk.
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