The Univeristy of Melbourne The Royal Melbourne Hopspital

A joint venture between The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital

News

19 Mar 2021

Doherty Institute launches new podcast Infection and Immunity – Evidence Explained

The Doherty Institute has launched the first Australian-based infection and immunity podcast, a fortnightly, 30 minute show that will hear from the Institute’s experts and collaborators in the field.

The first series of Infection and Immunity – Evidence Explained is all about the pandemic and is called COVID-19: the virus, variants and vaccines.

From understanding the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern, to treatments being trialled and the vaccine rollout in Australia and overseas, our experts will decipher the latest scientific literature without the jargon.

Doherty Institute Director, Professor Sharon Lewin, said it’s important scientists and public health experts take an active part in communicating with the public.

“Particularly during the pandemic, it’s up to us experts to share our knowledge and help people understand complex concepts so they can feel confident in the decisions being made around restrictions and vaccines, for example,” Professor Lewin said.

“The aim of this podcast is to present the latest scientific advances in a succinct and digestible format for our listeners so they feel informed and empowered.”

Episode 1 of Infection and Immunity – Evidence Explained features a conversation with Patron and Namesake of the Doherty Institute, Laureate Professor Peter Doherty, about COVID-19 vaccines, how he spent 2020 and why the Doherty Institute was able to respond to the pandemic in the way it did.

As well as vaccines, he says we also need: “Very good antiviral drugs to limit rapidly emerging variants coming in from overseas.

“If, for instance, we open up after we vaccinate everybody, we might still see some infection and we could be at the risk of one of these variant viruses taking off.

“If we had drugs, we could treat them immediately, even if they're not sick, because that would stop the virus going ahead.”

Subscribe to the Doherty Institute’s new podcast on your app of choice and visit the Infection and Immunity – Evidence Explained webpage, doherty.edu.au/podcast.