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Research
Perspectives of patients, family members, health professionals and the public on the impact of COVID-19 on mental healthThe coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has seen a global surge in anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and stress. Aims: This study aimed to describe the perspectives of patients with COVID-19, their family, health professionals, and the general public on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health.
Research
Reopening to the world: how safety, normality and trust in government shape young adults’ COVID-19 vaccine intentionsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, and particularly 2020-2021, young adults were often significant transmitters of the virus. Prior to the availability of vaccines for young adults, we sought to understand what would contribute to their uptake of a COVID-19 vaccine and how government policy might intervene. We undertook qualitative interviews between February and April 2021 with 19 participants (aged 18-29) in Perth, Western Australia.
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Western Australian health care workers’ views on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for the workplaceHealth care workers (HCWs) are at an increased risk of catching and spreading Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared with the general community, putting health systems at risk. Several jurisdictions globally have mandated or are looking to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for this cohort, but little is known about the acceptability of this measure, especially in different contexts, and there is little qualitative data to explore nuance, depth, and the reasons behind HCWs’ opinions.
Research
Off-season RSV epidemics in Australia after easing of COVID-19 restrictionsHuman respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of acute respiratory infection with the most severe disease in the young and elderly. Non-pharmaceutical interventions and travel restrictions for controlling COVID-19 have impacted the circulation of most respiratory viruses including RSV globally, particularly in Australia, where during 2020 the normal winter epidemics were notably absent.
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Unusual 2020 respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis season in Western Australia: Not explained by weatherTo describe and explore the relationship between weather and the unusual 2020 bronchiolitis season in Western Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Research
Breastfeeding in a COVID-19 worldThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the birthing and postnatal experience of women. This review highlights how policy changes have affected pregnant and breastfeeding women, the evidence for continued breastfeeding and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines, and how the pandemic's unexpected consequences have affected these women's wellbeing.

News & Events
Australia one step closer to COVID-19 shot for under 5sAustralia’s TGA has granted a provisional determination to Pfizer, allowing the pharmaceutical company to apply for approval to extend its COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 6 mths - 4 yrs.

News & Events
Sophisticated new modelling suggests keeping mask mandate could prevent 147,000 COVID-19 casesWA’s current Omicron COVID-19 outbreak could jump by 147,000 cases if mask mandates are abandoned before the Easter long weekend, according to sophisticated new modelling.

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COVID-19 risks explained for babies, children and pregnant womenMany parents may be feeling anxious and confused about what COVID-19 means for pregnant women, babies and children.

News & Events
Funding boost for digital health programThe Kids Research Institute Australia is pleased to share in $490,000 in State Government funding designed to provide vital support to WA’s innovation sector in the wake of COVID-19.