Immunisation experts from across Australia and China gather to strengthen regional collaboration

On 13 June 2025, NCIRS' Global Health team hosted the Immunisation Exchange, an event that brought together researchers, policymakers and program leaders from across Australia and China to exchange ideas, insights and experiences to help strengthen protection against vaccine preventable diseases.

Representatives from leading institutions across China – including the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association (CPMA), Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Gates Foundation – gathered at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney for discussions that centered on strategies to introduce and integrate the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into China’s National Immunization Program and how collaboration across countries can accelerate the impact of the program.

Chinese delegates were joined by leading Australian immunisation experts, including from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity; the Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney; and NSW Health.

Australia’s experience as one of the first countries in the world to introduce the HPV vaccine and achieve high coverage through its school-based program served as a case study for how a coordinated national policy, funding frameworks and community engagement can underpin program success.

Speakers shared their unique experiences in implementing HPV vaccine programs, both in Australia and in low-middle income countries across the Asia region. An update was also presented on China's progress to date in achieving significant drops in polio, hepatitis B and measles cases through its immunisation efforts, along with its ambitions to expand HPV vaccination across the country.

Immunisation experts from NCIRS and the University of Sydney presented on Australia’s robust vaccine safety surveillance systems, the global safety profile of HPV vaccines and the need for communication strategies to drive culturally informed, empathetic engagement – particularly when addressing vaccine misinformation. As discussions unfolded, it became clear that maintaining public trust in vaccines is equally as vital as delivering vaccines themselves.

Among the broad discussion items, the agenda also included a spotlight on Australia’s recent pneumococcal vaccine schedule change – demonstrating how scientific evidence is translated into real-world policy – and a compelling look at how modelling HPV vaccination and cervical screening strategies can help guide national policies and set countries on a path toward eliminating cervical cancer.

As the event concluded, delegates reflected on the value of collaboration, open dialogue, mutual respect and a commitment to evidence-based practice in building stronger immunisation systems, healthier communities and a shared vision of disease prevention for all.