Global vaccine leaders converge on Sydney to tackle growing vaccine hesitancy

Maintaining trust in science, improving access to vaccines and maximising collaboration will be central to discussions at the Australian Vaccine and Value Chain Conference (AVVCC), being held from 1–2 September, as the nation confronts declining immunisation rates and growing concern over vaccine confidence.

The challenge comes amid an increasingly polarised global vaccine debate. In the United States, President Donald Trump recently signed an Executive Order on Gold Standard Childhood Vaccine Recommendations, intended to “maximise parental choice”. Under the Order, RSV vaccines are no longer universally recommended for all children, alongside changes affecting recommendations for vaccines against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, meningococcal disease, influenza and COVID-19.

The repercussions of the debate are extending beyond the US, with Australia also experiencing a sustained decline in vaccine uptake. Concerns are mounting that confidence in vaccination is being eroded not only by practical barriers to access, but also by questions surrounding the credibility of health officials and whether official recommendations continue to command public trust.

Australia has taken important steps to strengthen its approach to infectious disease control, including through the newly formed Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC), which now serves as the national platform for surveillance and response. The updated National Immunisation Strategy (NIS) places a stronger focus on improving equity and access to vaccination. Yet experts say further action is needed to address declining uptake and ensure the country retains the scientific, technological and human capabilities required to respond to infectious disease threats.

Sanofi’s Global Head of Vaccines R&D, Dr Jean-François Toussaint, will join an expert discussion, Why Strong Science Is Not Enough, at the AVVCC. The session will explore the particular challenges involved in commercialising vaccines and infectious disease technologies, from defining a compelling product opportunity and aligning regulatory and manufacturing strategies to understanding the factors pharmaceutical companies consider before engaging with early-stage opportunities.

“Australia has exceptional research talent and a genuine appetite for collaboration. The Translational Science Hub in Queensland exemplifies what’s possible when industry, government, and academia align around a shared mission. There is real opportunity here in building globally competitive vaccine innovation capability. That’s what attracts pharmaceutical investment,” said Dr Toussaint.

Representatives from the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) will also attend the conference, adding an international perspective to discussions around vaccine innovation, preparedness and access.

“We have world-leading capabilities, knowledge and expertise here in Australia. For us to continue to move forward in this critical area of public health we have to ensure we maintain and foster the information and technology – but also the people, systems and data that support it,” stated Professor Jodie McVernon, Director of Doherty Epidemiology.

The issue of access will also be central to the conversation. Professor Helen Marshall, Director of the Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Group and NHMRC Leadership Fellow at the University of Adelaide, said improving vaccination rates requires more than the availability of effective vaccines.

“No vaccine creates impact unless it reaches the people who need it, so ensuring we fully recognise and maximise the role vaccines can contribute to our health system and society is critical,” said Professor Marshall. “Making it easier for people to be vaccinated as well as combatting misinformation and growing scepticism will be central to this. Coordinated approaches are needed to improve access to vaccines and public health messaging to enhance community trust.”

Dr Mike Zhang, General Manager of Sanofi Vaccines in Australia, New Zealand & South Korea, said the broader economic and societal contribution of vaccination should also be better reflected in health policy decisions.

“We’re at a pivotal moment for Australia’s health policy landscape,” said Dr Zhang. “Too often, the value of vaccines is measured narrowly against upfront cost, rather than their full contribution to a resilient health economy – fewer hospitalisations, stronger workforce productivity, and healthier communities over the long term.”

And that is the one of the key recommendations from the HTA Review reforms that is yet to be funded for implementation through the next strategic agreement between the government and Medicines Australia.

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