The Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services (at the NSWHP-ICPMR, Westmead) in conjunction with The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network), has collected a series of population, age and location matched serum biobanks since 1996.
These samples are used to determine immunity or past infection to a range of vaccine preventable diseases. The results guide government vaccination policies for children and adults. They can also be used to identify the rates in the community of infection with new or emerging pathogens, assisting public health responses and improving the understanding of new infections.