Immunisation Foundation of Australia

Immunisation Foundation of Australia Supporting Vaccination, Saving Lives MISSION: to inspire all to advocate for immunisation + to protect our communities from vaccine-preventable diseases.

The Immunisation Foundation of Australia was established by the family of Riley Hughes, who have become vocal advocates of immunisation after the death of their son from whooping cough in 2015. VISION: a world where families are no longer affected by the unnecessary suffering and death caused by vaccine-preventable diseases. The foundation's purpose is to:

1. Educate the general community about

the impact & prevention of vaccine preventable diseases;

2. Liaise with medical professionals regarding recent developments in best practice for vaccination and VPD-management

3. Liaise with business and government of the economic benefits arising from preventing disease through the use of immunisation; and

4. Raise funds for ethical research on vaccine preventable diseases, and facilitate programs to ensure an increased uptake of vaccination for VPDs


Want to learn more about us and our important work? Please head to www.ifa.org.au

Meet Susan, who has a full diary and absolutely no plans to slow down. She certainly doesn’t have time for respiratory ...
20/06/2026

Meet Susan, who has a full diary and absolutely no plans to slow down. She certainly doesn’t have time for respiratory illnesses like ( ).

RSV is highly contagious and causes outbreaks during the winter months. Older Australians are at increased risk of severe RSV, which can lead to hospitalisation and serious complications such as pneumonia.

The good news is RSV protection is now free for all Australians aged 75+ and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60+.

If you are not eligible for the free program, you may still be able to receive the vaccine with a private prescription. This includes anyone aged 60-74 years and people from 50 years with a medical condition that increase their risk of severe RSV.

If you also want to stay cool, calm and RSV-protected this winter, speak to your GP, pharmacist or community vaccination provider. Don’t go unprotected.

For further information about RSV protection for older adults, see link in comments.

19/06/2026

WA families rush to receive needle-free flu vaccine

Older Australians are lining up for a new federally funded vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus, as health leader...
18/06/2026

Older Australians are lining up for a new federally funded vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus, as health leaders warn the common winter illness is far more dangerous than "just a bad cold".

During RSV Awareness Week there's a fresh push from the Australian Medical Association and the Immunisation Foundation of Australia for older Australians and pregnant women to add the vaccination to their winter protection plan.

The virus can cause severe illness, hospitalisation and death, particularly in babies, older Australians and people with underlying conditions.

"Too many people still think RSV is just a bad cold, but for some Australians it can be far more serious than that," the association's president Danielle McMullen said.

RSV vaccines have been added to the National Immunisation Program, with free jabs now available for people 75 and over, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over.

A maternal RSV vaccine was added last year to help protect newborns in their first months of life, with authorities saying the vaccines are making a difference.

More than 225,000 mothers have received the maternal RSV vaccine since it was introduced in February 2024, helping drive a more than nine per cent drop in RSV cases in young children, from 86,000 in 2024 to 78,000 in 2025.

A new nationwide survey of 1011 Australians eligible for the free RSV shot suggests older Australians are broadly on board, with 60 per cent already vaccinated or intending to get the jab soon.

Almost two-thirds (63 per cent) say RSV vaccination is as important as a flu shot.

Immunisation Foundation of Australia founder Catherine Hughes said the findings showed "older Australians are ready for RSV protection", but many still did not know the vaccine existed or that it was free.

"What's holding many back isn't reluctance; it's simply not knowing the vaccine exists or that it's now free. That's something we can fix," Ms Hughes said.

In 2025, there were 21,178 RSV notifications among Australians aged 75 and over, and nearly 500 deaths linked to severe RSV in the first nine months of the year.

via MSN Australia

Saturday morning: mild fever, responding to Panadol. She was jumping and dancing around.Saturday evening: slightly highe...
17/06/2026

Saturday morning: mild fever, responding to Panadol. She was jumping and dancing around.
Saturday evening: slightly higher fever, settling again. No cause for alarm.
Sunday: fever returned and did not settle. She was rushed to the emergency department.
Four hours later, Aabi stopped breathing.

She was two years and nine months old. She had influenza A. Her vaccine was booked for the following week.

Influenza is not just the flu. Aabi's family created The Aabi Award for the Influenza Champion of the Year so her story keeps protecting other children — and so the people working to prevent this kind of loss get the recognition they deserve.

Nominations are open now. Three winners receive $850 each and a framed certificate in Aabi's name. Anyone can nominate.

17/06/2026

Severe ( ) can make it hard for babies and young children to breathe.

Dr Rochelle Oei-Hicks explains the warning signs parents should look out for, and what can be done to help children who become seriously unwell with RSV.

Please watch and share this video.

16/06/2026

The researchers and clinicians who study influenza in children know Aabi’s story.

Kids Research Institute Australia and the WA Department of Health made this video because they believe every Australian parent should know it too.

Aabi Ahuja was a toddler living in Perth when influenza A triggered Acute Necrotising Encephalitis and took her life in May 2025. The virus reached her brain stem. It happened within hours of her first fever.

Her family wrote: “The flu is ruthless and will not wait for us to act. It will act first.”

Children can be vaccinated against flu with either the nasal spray vaccine or the standard needle vaccine.

► Flu vaccination options vary by state. IFA’s Pick Your Protection hub has state-by-state information on what’s available for your child: ifa.org.au/pickyourprotection

► Read Aabi’s story: ifa.org.au/aabis-story

The Kids Research Institute Australia WA Department of Health

Older Australians are lining up for a new federally funded vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus, as health leader...
16/06/2026

Older Australians are lining up for a new federally funded vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus, as health leaders warn the common winter illness is far more dangerous than "just a bad cold".

During RSV Awareness Week there's a fresh push from the Australian Medical Association and the Immunisation Foundation of Australia for older Australians and pregnant women to add the vaccination to their winter protection plan.

The virus can cause severe illness, hospitalisation and death, particularly in babies, older Australians and people with underlying conditions.

"Too many people still think RSV is just a bad cold, but for some Australians it can be far more serious than that," the association's president Danielle McMullen said.

RSV vaccines have been added to the National Immunisation Program, with free jabs now available for people 75 and over, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over.

A maternal RSV vaccine was added last year to help protect newborns in their first months of life, with authorities saying the vaccines are making a difference.

More than 225,000 mothers have received the maternal RSV vaccine since it was introduced in February 2024, helping drive a more than nine per cent drop in RSV cases in young children, from 86,000 in 2024 to 78,000 in 2025.

A new nationwide survey of 1011 Australians eligible for the free RSV shot suggests older Australians are broadly on board, with 60 per cent already vaccinated or intending to get the jab soon.

Almost two-thirds (63 per cent) say RSV vaccination is as important as a flu shot.

Immunisation Foundation of Australia founder Catherine Hughes said the findings showed "older Australians are ready for RSV protection", but many still did not know the vaccine existed or that it was free.

"What's holding many back isn't reluctance; it's simply not knowing the vaccine exists or that it's now free. That's something we can fix," Ms Hughes said.

In 2025, there were 21,178 RSV notifications among Australians aged 75 and over, and nearly 500 deaths linked to severe RSV in the first nine months of the year.

via Dubbo Photo News

We know vaccination day can be stressful for some children – and some parents too.The good news is that there are now tw...
15/06/2026

We know vaccination day can be stressful for some children – and some parents too.

The good news is that there are now two influenza vaccine options for Australian children:
👉🏼 The injected influenza vaccine
👉🏼 The new nasal spray influenza vaccine

Both are safe and effective, and free for many Australian children, depending on their age and location.

Make sure your little one doesn’t go unprotected against influenza this year.

To learn more about the options for protecting your child against influenza, check out our new Pick Your Protection webpage: https://www.ifa.org.au/pickyourprotection

She was her sister's sunflower, her mumma's Koala, her papa's puppy, and her family's joy.Aabi Ahuja moved to Perth at f...
14/06/2026

She was her sister's sunflower, her mumma's Koala, her papa's puppy, and her family's joy.

Aabi Ahuja moved to Perth at five months old. She grew into a mischievous, fun-loving, talkative toddler who picked up new words every day, led every conversation, and welcomed every meal with sparkling eyes. She loved nail polish, fashion shows with her big sister Aarvi, and Taylor Swift dance moves in the car.

She was two years and nine months old when influenza took her life in May 2025.

Her mum Anjuman has written her story. It is worth reading.

The Aabi Award for the Influenza Champion of the Year was created in her memory. It recognises the clinicians, nurses, pharmacists, researchers, teachers, community workers, and parents protecting Australian families from influenza. Three winners receive $850 each and a framed certificate in Aabi's name.

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