Kristine Macartney

September 25, 2025

Babies can get hepatitis B at birth. Here’s why Trump is wrong about delaying the vaccine

Nicholas Wood, University of Sydney; Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney, and Lucy Deng, University of Sydney

If a newborn is exposed to hepatitis B at birth, there’s a 90% chance they’ll develop a lifelong infection.

September 23, 2025

New measles cases in Queensland show ‘herd immunity’ is more important than ever

Frank Beard, University of Sydney and Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine rates have been dropping.

March 28, 2025

Travelling overseas? You could be at risk of measles. Here’s how to ensure you’re protected

Archana Koirala, University of Sydney and Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney

Measles is on the rise globally. We need to step up vaccination rates.

December 22, 2022

How common are severe side effects from COVID vaccines? And how are they detected?

Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney; Allen Cheng, Monash University; Christopher Blyth, The University of Western Australia, and Julie Leask, University of Sydney

Former MP Dr Kerryn Phelps’ COVID vaccination experience has prompted discussion about severe side effects after COVID vaccines. Here’s how they’re tracked, confirmed and prevented.

July 5, 2022

Diphtheria is back in Australia, here’s why – and how vaccines can prevent its spread

Frank Beard, University of Sydney; Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney, and Noni Winkler, Australian National University

Australia currently has its first cases of childhood respiratory diphtheria since 1992. So why are we seeing diphtheria now? And what role does travel play in its spread?

May 6, 2021

How do we actually investigate rare COVID‑19 vaccine side‑effects?

Nicholas Wood, University of Sydney and Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney

A serious event such as a blood clot could be caused by an underlying medical condition, a medication the person was taking at the time, or some other factor unrelated to the vaccine.

February 12, 2021

COVID vaccines have been developed in record time. But how will we know they’re safe?

Nicholas Wood, University of Sydney and Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney

We already track potential vaccine side-effects in Australia. So we’ll be using, and building on, years of experience in monitoring any long-term effects of COVID-19 vaccines.

January 19, 2021

Coronavirus: is it safe for kids to go back to school? And what about the new mutant strain?

Asha Bowen, The Kids Research Institute Australia; Archana Koirala, University of Sydney; Fiona Russell, The University of Melbourne; Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney, and Margie Danchin, Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Based on closely following outbreaks in schools and early learning centres across Australia throughout 2020, we have enough evidence to show how students can return to school safely.

October 23, 2020

Children may need to be vaccinated against COVID‑19 too. Here’s what we need to consider

Ketaki Sharma, University of Sydney; Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney, and Nicholas Wood, University of Sydney

Any COVID-19 vaccine is likely to be given first to higher risk groups before it is given to children. But we still need vaccines that are safe and effective for them too.

October 6, 2019

Pharmacists can vaccinate adults against whooping cough, measles and the flu, but it might cost you more

Catherine Tran, University of Sydney; Clayton Chiu, and Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney

You no longer have to go to your GP to get your flu shot or catch up on vaccinations you missed earlier in life or have waning immunity to. But they’re unlikely to be free.

June 5, 2019

Kids are more vulnerable to the flu – here’s what to look out for this winter

Christopher Blyth, The University of Western Australia; Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney, and Samantha Carlson, University of Sydney

Children’s immune systems are more vulnerable to the flu; even kids who are otherwise healthy can develop complications. The best way to protect children is by having them vaccinated.

May 20, 2019

Health Check: are you up to date with your vaccinations?

Lucy Deng, University of Sydney; Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney, and Nicholas Wood, University of Sydney

There are many reasons adults might not be up to date with the vaccinations they need. Catching up is easy enough, and vitally important in the fight against infectious diseases.

January 25, 2019

Why people born between 1966 and 1994 are at greater risk of measles – and what to do about it

Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney and Lucy Deng, University of Sydney

We’ve had the measles vaccine in Australia since 1968, but a two-dose program was only introduced in 1992. And if you haven’t had the second dose, you’re at risk of contracting measles.

November 1, 2018

Australia has eliminated rubella – but that doesn’t mean it can’t come back

Heather Gidding, University of Sydney; Aditi Dey, University of Sydney, and Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney

Thanks to successful vaccination programs, Australia has just been declared free of rubella. Continued vigilance is important to make sure it doesn’t come back.

August 8, 2018

Have you had your diphtheria vaccines? Here’s why it matters

Meru Sheel, University of Sydney and Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney

International outbreaks of the almost-forgotten disease diphtheria and pockets of low immunisation coverage put Australians at risk of catching the disease.

April 9, 2018

Thinking about getting your child the flu vaccine? Here’s what you need to know

Christopher Blyth, The University of Western Australia and Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney

The flu vaccine isn’t perfect but it’s the best way to protect against these potentially harmful viruses. Most children aged six months to five years are eligible for a free vaccine in 2018.

August 15, 2017

No, combination vaccines don’t overwhelm kids’ immune systems

Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney

Vaccines against multiple diseases in one jab strengthen kids’ immune systems, not weaken them. Here’s why we shouldn’t fear these combination vaccines.

April 11, 2017

Flu vaccine won’t definitely stop you from getting the flu, but it’s more important than you think

Allen Cheng, Monash University and Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney

As we head towards flu season, many people are wondering if it’s worth getting vaccinated against influenza and if so, when. Here’s what you need to know.

March 7, 2017

Is there a test your child can take before getting vaccinated, as Pauline Hanson said?

Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney; Julie Leask, University of Sydney, and Nicholas Wood, University of Sydney

Speaking on the ABC program Insiders, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson suggested there are tests available to see if children will have an adverse reaction to vaccinations. We asked three experts.

October 24, 2016

Explainer: how do you get shingles and who should be vaccinated against it?

Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney and Sanjay Jayasinghe, University of Sydney

From November 1, the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine will be available for free to people aged 70 to 79 years. So how and why do you get shingles, and who should be vaccinated?

January 8, 2016

Vaccines to expect when you’re expecting, and why

Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney; Annette Regan, The University of Western Australia, and Professor Helen Marshall, University of Adelaide

Pregnancy can be a confusing time, raising a number of questions for women. This includes what vaccines to have and which to avoid.

February 26, 2015

Forget ‘no jab, no pay’ schemes, there are better ways to boost vaccination

Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney

Immunisation in Australia isn’t compulsory – and doesn’t need to be controversial. Most Australians recognise the incredible benefits that vaccination provides to prevent serious disease.

April 7, 2014

Health Check: when do adults need to be immunised?

Melina Georgousakis, University of Sydney and Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney

Most of us will receive the majority of our vaccinations in childhood. But Australian adults still die and become disabled from vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunisations are therefore an important preventive…

June 30, 2013

Vaccine program changes protect kids, but with fewer ouches

Kristine Macartney, University of Sydney and Melina Georgousakis, University of Sydney

Changes to the National Immunisation Program schedule coming into effect today (July 1, 2013) will see two fewer injections given to young children. The changes represent a more efficient way of delivering…