Symposium B - What happens when government wipes its hands of vaccination?
Tracks
Track 6
| Tuesday, June 10, 2025 |
| 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM |
| Riverbank Room 4 |
Overview
Organisation: University of Western Australia
Details
Hosted & Facilitated by: Profs Katie Attwell and Julie Leask
Symposium Summary:
Recent events in the US and elsewhere have heightened concerns about maintaining vaccine coverage. But how exactly do governments work on vaccination programs? What are the implications of a leadership that effectively undermines vaccination?
In this innovative symposium, two former Chairs of the Collaboration on Social Science (COSSI), Professor Katie Attwell and Professor Julie Leask AO, explore global examples of how governments build and maintain vaccination uptake. They walk through what is already occurring and likely to unfold in the United States and beyond. Bringing together concepts from public health and political science with examples from a range of countries, Professors Attwell and Leask provide a comprehensive "state of the nation" for immunisation uptake.
Following their discussion, they will be joined by panelists from government, research, and practice. The panel will discuss with the audience the implications of the US situation for policy and programs in Australia and elsewhere, and what is needed to shore up government support for vaccination.
Speakers:
1. Professor Katie Attwell - University of Western Australia
2. Professor Julie Leask - University of Western Australia
3. Professor Mark Jit - Chair of the Department of Global and Environmental Health, NYU
4. Professor Nicola Spurrier - South Australian Chief Public Health Officer
5. Ken Griffin - CEO, Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association
For more details and to register go to: https://www.cdic2025.com/symposiums
There is no additional cost for attending symposiums but you will need to register as space is limited
Speaker
Prof Katie Attwell
Professor
The University Of Western Autralia
Session 1
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Frequently, public health discourse presents immunisation uptake as the collective but untethered responsibility of the "eclectic we". Governments, health professionals, and civil society are all imagined to participate, but the roles of these actors and their mechanisms of action are often absent from analysis. To address this gap, this symposium unpacks the centrality of "the state" in coordinating these activities and providing funding and leadership.
METHODS: Professors Attwell and Leask bring insights and concepts from public health and political science to a 45-minute podcast style discussion with prepared talking points. They offer conceptual categories for thinking about the roles that the state can play. They seek to develop a shared vocabulary.
IMPACT: This discussion will be of high interest to anybody who is interested in strategies to increase immunisation uptake or preparing for threats to programs from abroad. It will appeal to those keen to understand more about global and domestic politics. It will enhance knowledge about the levers that governments can pull to promote vaccine uptake and drive partnerships with community, civil society and the health and medical fields.
METHODS: Professors Attwell and Leask bring insights and concepts from public health and political science to a 45-minute podcast style discussion with prepared talking points. They offer conceptual categories for thinking about the roles that the state can play. They seek to develop a shared vocabulary.
IMPACT: This discussion will be of high interest to anybody who is interested in strategies to increase immunisation uptake or preparing for threats to programs from abroad. It will appeal to those keen to understand more about global and domestic politics. It will enhance knowledge about the levers that governments can pull to promote vaccine uptake and drive partnerships with community, civil society and the health and medical fields.
Professor Julie Leask
Professor of Public Health
University Of Sydney
Session 2
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Understanding the role of the state in supporting immunisation programs is crucial, especially as challenges to these programs have emerged globally in recent times. Rollback of investment and ideological support for immunisation is unprecedented in most countries. We need to be prepared for its implications in Australia and beyond. How are program and policy workers planning for this?
METHODS: A panel of professionals forms the second half of the symposium. Leaders from research, policy, programs, and professional organisations including Professor Mark Jit (Chair of the Department of Global and Environmental Health, NYU), Ken Griffin (CEO, Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association), and Professor Nicola Spurrier (South Australian Chief Public Health Officer) join Professors Attwell and Leask to share prepared talking points and take questions from the audience. Using examples from their work in diverse systems, the panel explores how all those involved in immunisation governance and programs can support immunisation in these challenging times.
IMPACT: The panel discussion translates the concepts and political insights of the “podcast” discussion to policy and practice.
METHODS: A panel of professionals forms the second half of the symposium. Leaders from research, policy, programs, and professional organisations including Professor Mark Jit (Chair of the Department of Global and Environmental Health, NYU), Ken Griffin (CEO, Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association), and Professor Nicola Spurrier (South Australian Chief Public Health Officer) join Professors Attwell and Leask to share prepared talking points and take questions from the audience. Using examples from their work in diverse systems, the panel explores how all those involved in immunisation governance and programs can support immunisation in these challenging times.
IMPACT: The panel discussion translates the concepts and political insights of the “podcast” discussion to policy and practice.
