Vaccine Preventable Diseases in the Emergency Department

Abstract

Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) are re-emerging worldwide, with declining vaccination coverage since the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in outbreaks of previously rare infections in Australasia. Emergency departments are increasingly at the forefront of recognising and managing these diseases while responding to their broader public health implications. This editorial examines the factors contributing to the resurgence of VPDs and declining immunisation rates, and their implications for ACEM training and EM practice. The accompanying articles in this issue provide practical perspectives on managing diphtheria and measles in the emergency department, addressing vaccine hesitancy and preparing for VPD-related examination questions.