One small jab could prevent a multitude of illnesses, according to CQUniversity's Dr John McGrath...

Dr McGrath, an immunologist with the University's Capricornia Centre for Mucosal Immunology, believes vaccinations are a safe targeted way of protecting the population from a variety of diseases.

Dr John McGrathHowever the practice has come under fire from a number of sectors in recent times, spreading what Dr McGrath believes is misinformation.

The importance of vaccinating in today's world will be the focus of a free public presentation by Dr McGrath in Bundaberg on Thursday July 29. To register interest in attending the presentation, phone 4150 7177 by Monday July 26.

The presentation titled ‘To vaccinate or not?' will be staged at the Old Bundy Tavern, Quay Street, Bundaberg from 6pm to 7pm, as part of the Research Unplugged presentation series.

Dr McGrath said that vaccinations have led to the virtual eradication of terrible infectious diseases including polio, smallpox, tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough, and have decimated rates of others like meningitis and pneumonia in vaccinated populations.

 However, some are now taking the results for granted.

"The enormous success of vaccinations is now leading to complacency and some of these diseases are making a comeback."

The presentation will look at the essential relationship - both good and bad - of the human body with its microbial inhabitants, and why vaccination is necessary against certain microbes.

Dr McGrath will provide an insight into what vaccines are, how they're made, how they work, and problems and challenges with them.

His current work at the University involves understanding the biology of middle ear infection with a view to vaccine development. He has also worked on the development of vaccines against chronic bronchitis and cancer.

Dr McGrath was part of a team which developed and tested an HIV vaccine in clinical trials.