Nigel W Crawford

Abstract Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for young children with limited understanding of how this may imprint influenza immunity. We conducted a pilot study to examine whether early life exposure to influenza through vaccination versus infection affects subsequent vaccination responses. Nineteen children aged 6–60 months were enrolled at two Australian hospitals during 2019–2021.

Med J Aust || doi: 10.5694/mja2.52671 Published online: 26 May 2025 Globally, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for an estimated 33 million acute lower respiratory tract infections, resulting in 26 300 in‐hospital deaths annually in children aged 0 to 60 months.1 Children under the age of 4 years are disproportionately impacted and represent 50% of cases, with infants under the age of 6 months accounting for most of the RSV‐associated hospitalisations in Australia.2 The...

What is already known on this topic? ○ RSV is a major contributor to respiratory infection hospital admissions in young children, especially in those < 6 months of age. ○ The seasonality of RSV was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. What this paper adds? ○ A multi-jurisdictional analysis on the impact of RSV on the Australian paediatric healthcare system including treatments, length of stay, and medical interventions utilised.