Rose's Story: Measles changed her life forever

Aabi's Story: A Life Interrupted by Influenza

Rhys’s ocular shingles story highlights why immunisation matters and how chickenpox can return unexpectedly.

Shiva Motlagh-Elbakri's nightmare began in June 2022 when she took her four-month-old daughter, Mytilini, to the hospital with grave concerns.

Mabel was diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis, which had caused severe damage to her brain. 

In late August 2024, 52-year-old Heidi Duckworth faced an unexpected health scare. A busy professional, Heidi had always prioritised her health, but as fatigue set in she began scheduling rest breaks during her workday. 

In a quiet Adelaide suburb, Deborah Smith, a 72-year-old retired nurse, finds herself battling the lingering effects of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) six years after the infection.

As a former nurse, Deborah was no stranger to health challenges. However, nothing could have prepared her for the debilitating impact of severe RSV.

In June 2022, mother-of-three Kellie Damon noticed her 13-month son Owen was unusually quiet and still.

For a baby who was always on the go, Kellie was concerned, especially when she noticed how pale he looked. Something wasn’t right.

When Marie Compagnon bought home newborn Elio during the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020, the family did what they could to protect him.

Santanna’s second child Rebel was only four weeks old when she caught RSV from her two-year-old brother in July 2023.

By day three of cold-like symptoms, baby Rebel took a turn for the worse and was rushed to Monash Children’s Hospital.

The source of the virus a mystery, baby Flynn started exhibiting classic cold-like symptoms including a runny nose and slight cough. After two days, when Flynn’s cough had deteriorated to alarming bouts of breath-holding, Kiara became very worried.

Lisa Loader from Adelaide is on a mission to raise awareness of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) after experiencing a terrifying ordeal that left her battling for life.

For some Whooping Cough (pertussis) can be a persistent cough that lingers for months but for others it is a life altering illness and can sadly, prove fatal.

For eight years, tears marked Kaya's birthdays. Meningitis altered her life forever, but resilience, love, and determination painted a vibrant new journey.

Catherine Hughes AM, along with her husband Greg Hughes, are founders of the Immunisation Foundation of Australia and ‘Light for Riley’ campaign.  They share Riley’s story in the hopes that no more children may needlessly suffer and die from whooping cough.

Timothy Britten CV is a senior sergeant in the Western Australia Police Force. After his heroic actions in the immediate aftermath of the 2002 Bali bombings, Timothy was awarded the Cross of Valour, making him Australia’s highest-decorated police officer. As an ambassador for the Immunisation Foundation of Australia, Tim has shared his debilitating experience with whooping cough, shining a light on the importance of adult boosters.

Heidi lives in Northern NSW, where vaccination rates are low and outbreaks of disease like whooping cough are common.  An experienced paramedic and owner of a First Aid business, Heidi became a passionate advocate for immunisation in her local community after a traumatic experience of whooping cough whilst pregnant.   

Broome Mum Naomi bravely shares a story very close to heart – the story of her son Blake, who’s death from whooping cough left the family shattered.

Greg was a busy and active man in his fifties, working full time to deliver milk.  His partner Val shares with us his story, and the devastating impact whooping cough has had on his life.

One day, around ten years ago, my Mum contracted whooping cough when she was visiting a childcare centre for work.  Concerned about how sick she was feeling, she saw a doctor who reassured her that it was just a cold.  She continued to cough and cough, so a month later returned to the GP who tested her.