EpiReview: notifications of Q fever in NSW, 2001-2010.

Unlabelled: Q fever is the most frequently notified zoonotic infection in NSW residents. The past decade has seen the introduction of a targeted national Q fever vaccination program.

Methods: We undertook a descriptive analysis of Q fever notifications in NSW, for the period 2001-2010.

Why do I need it? I am not at risk! Public perceptions towards the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccine.

Background: On the 30th September 2009, the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza vaccine was made available to adults and children aged 10 years and over, in Australia. Acceptance of a novel vaccine is influenced by perceptions of risk including risk of infection, risk of death or severe illness and risk of serious vaccine side-effects. We surveyed a sample of residents from Sydney, Australia to ascertain their risk perception, attitudes towards the pandemic and willingness to accept the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza vaccine.

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza vaccine roll-out in NSW.

The roll-out of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza vaccine in NSW was significantly different to that envisaged for a pandemic vaccination program. Pre-pandemic planning had focused on the urgent roll-out of a vaccine through mass vaccination clinics in a time of high demand due to a virulent influenza virus. Instead the situation was less urgent, with the vaccine available only after the peak of incidence of infections in NSW.

The community's attitude towards swine flu and pandemic influenza.

Objective: To ascertain the beliefs, perceived risks and initial attitudes of the Australian community towards the influenza pandemic declared by the World Health Organization in response to the emergence of an A(H1N1) influenza subtype.

Design, Setting And Participants: Cross-sectional survey of Sydney residents during WHO Phase 5 of pandemic (H1N1) 2009. Members of the public were approached in shopping and pedestrian malls in seven areas of Sydney between 2 May and 29 May 2009 to undertake the survey.