Author: Ella Brown
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Health Update #7
Click to read our latest Health Update dated December 2025.
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Updated Medical Recommendations
We would like to let you know that new medical recommendations have been reviewed by a multidisciplinary committee of experts from a range of fields. You can now find those recommendations on our website, and we encourage you to read them using the links below. Key Updates Adult Recommendations Paediatric Recommendations – Pneumococcal vaccine in…
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Big News for Little Spleens
Big News for Little Spleens: New Pneumococcal Vaccine Guidelines for Kids Starting 1 September 2025, Australia’s National Immunisation Program (NIP) has introduced updated guidelines for protecting children against pneumococcal disease – a serious infection that can affect the lungs, blood, and brain. This new vaccine is called Prevenar 20®. It is fully funded under the…
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Measles Risk
Recent Sepsis Case Highlights Measles Risk – Protect Yourself with Vaccination You may have seen increasing rates of measles reported in the community with outbreaks more commonly identified. There has specifically been a patient with asplenia admitted to hospital with sepsis symptoms related to measles. Measles is a highly contagious disease, spread by droplets when an…
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Spleen Australia study on shingles
Spleen Australia study on shingles is published in the academic journal Vaccine Published by Dr Gabriela Khoury and Prof Ian Woolley Anyone who has had chickenpox during childhood is at risk of experiencing shingles as an adult. This occurs because the chickenpox virus, Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), remains dormant or asleep in nerves. In different…
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Newsletter #6
Click to read our latest Newsletter dated May 2025.
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Annual Influenza Vaccine Information
It’s that time again to get your yearly Influenza vaccine (Flu shot). Annual vaccination is the most important measure to prevent influenza and its complications. It isrecommended for all people ≥6 months of age. Spleen Australia and ATAGI recommend the yearly influenza vaccine for individuals with immunocompromising conditions and are FREE for all people living without…
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Vale Penelope Jones
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Penny Jones, Spleen Australia Manager. Penny, alongside Prof Denis Spelman, founded Spleen Australia in 2003, after identifying an urgent need to reduce the chances of infection in patients without a functioning spleen. “The clinical insights and expertise of Prof Spelman instigated Spleen Australia, but it is Penny…
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Newsletter #5
Click to read our latest Newsletter dated May 2024.
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Spleen Australia celebrates 20 years
Spleen Australia recognised two decades of work today with Daryl Braithwaite and Brian Nankervis coming along to The Alfred to help mark the occasion. Speaking at the event, Department of Infectious Diseases Director Anton Peleg acknowledged the success of the clinical service. “Thank you to everyone who has been a part of Spleen Australia. It’s growing every…