Comparing Pneumococcal Vaccines In A High Risk Population: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Immunogenicity, Safety And Impact On Carriage Of Pneumococcal Conjugate And Polysaccharide Vaccines In Infants In Papua New Guinea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,042,670.00
Summary
Pneumococcal disease is a major cause of pneumonia and meningitis in infants in developing countries in particular resulting in an estimated 800,000 deaths each year. This project will study how well pneumococcal vaccines perform in 260 high-risk infants in Papua New Guinea. We will examine how well the vaccines stimulate protective immunity and reduce babies carrying the pneumococcal bacteria in their nose and how long this immunity lasts for. The study will inform global immunisation policy.
Dynamics Of Haemophilus Haemolyticus And Nontypeable Haemophilus Influenzae Colonisation In Otitis-prone Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,790.00
Summary
A vaccine has been licenced that reduces ear disease. A harmless bacterium masquerades as the pathogen responsible for ear disease, nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), leading to inaccurate surveillance of ear disease. This project will measure the true proportion of NTHi in ears and noses to help policy decisions regarding the introduction of the vaccine to Western Australia. We will be able to assess the impact this vaccine has had in the Northern Territory since implementation in 2009.
Effects Of Antibiotics, Vaccines And Environment On The Population Biology Of Bacterial Respiratory Pathogens In Australian Indigenous Children – A Synthesis Of Studies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
For over 20 years researchers in the Northern Territory have studied middle ear and lower respiratory infections which severely affect Indigenous children. Projects have included antibiotic and vaccine interventions, however disease rates remain high. Much has been learned about the bacteria causing these infections and the effects of interventions. This study will synthesise these findings, and explore environmental influences, to further inform prevention and treatment strategies.
Impact Of DTP Schedules On The Immunogenicity Of 2 Doses Of 13v-PCV Followed By An Early Booster
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,651,687.00
Summary
This project aims to come up with a vaccination schedule to make pneumococcal vaccines more effective and affordable for Fiji and other developing countries. We will evaluate schedules involving a 2 dose primary series in early infancy with a booster at 9 months of age. We will compare the immune responses to 3 different primary series and 2 booster options. The results of this project will be used to provide advice, at global and country levels, regarding introduction of pneumococcal vaccines.
Mathematical Modelling Of Bacterial Carriage In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$421,746.00
Summary
Children exposed to larger numbers of other children are at risk of persistent bacterial infections. Such circumstances explain the high rates of ear and chest infections, and skin sores seen in children in historical times. Changing social circumstances (smaller families, better housing, nutrition and hygiene), as well as the introduction of antibiotics, explain the decline of such infections in affluent communities since the early 20th century. However, even today, in affluent countries, child ....Children exposed to larger numbers of other children are at risk of persistent bacterial infections. Such circumstances explain the high rates of ear and chest infections, and skin sores seen in children in historical times. Changing social circumstances (smaller families, better housing, nutrition and hygiene), as well as the introduction of antibiotics, explain the decline of such infections in affluent communities since the early 20th century. However, even today, in affluent countries, children attending group child care are at high risk of ear infections. As many bacteria are resistant, antibiotics are now much less effective than when they were first introduced. Furthermore, there is a continuing load of infection for children in Aboriginal communities, in PNG and other developing countries, causing hearing loss, chronic respiratory problems, and heart disease and renal disease in later life. Using data previously collected from other studies in Indigenous communities and children in child care, mathematical models allow us to ask what if?, and answer important public health questions: 1. What environmental and public health measures can reduce the cycle of cross-infection in child-care and high-risk populations? 2. What coverage rates with pneumococcal vaccine will eliminate the vaccine-specific bacteria from child care centres, from the wider community, and from high risk populations? 3. Will infections with bacteria not covered by vaccine then increase? 4. Will the resistant bacteria tend to disappear if antibiotic use is restricted? 5. Under what circumstances will antibiotics help to control infection? The modelling will promote understanding of the social and health costs of bacterial infection in Aboriginal communities and child care and use educational scenarios to promote uptake of the most cost-effective and socially acceptable interventions.Read moreRead less
Understanding And Preventing Avoidable Readmissions: Development Of A Patient Centered And Disease Specific Screening Tool
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,000.00
Summary
This study aims to develop a screenings tool to prevent unplanned re-admissions, based on specific patient centred and disease specific factors. We will include index admission data (367,782 in 2015) of five MACH hospitals. The cohort will be divided into a group for index derivation and a group for internal validation. Variables on patient and admission characteristics are based on literature. After internal validation we will validate the tool externally and implement it in clinical practice
SAFETY, EFFECTIVENESS OF CARE AND RESOURCE USE AMONG AUSTRALIAN HOSPITALS (SAFER HOSPITALS)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,084,271.00
Summary
Global concern exists about the safety and quality of health care. Our study will, for the first-time in Australia, evaluate how often untoward outcomes such as adverse events, deaths, and readmission occur after hospital care, how they vary among hospitals that may suggest disparities in quality, and the costs to the health system. The findings will prioritise targets for quality improvement, lead to better monitoring methods, and inform clinical and policy intervention to improve care.