Most parents have never heard of CMV – a common virus that is harmless for most people but can cause serious complications for unborn babies. Meet Charlotte – a bright and beautiful baby girl who was born profoundly deaf after her mum Lacy was unknowingly exposed to the virus while she was pregnant. Thanks to the incredible support from Wesfarmers, the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases is undertaking a global trial to find a vaccine to prevent CMV.

Professor Peter Richmond, from the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases, The University of Western Australia and Perth Children's Hospital, explains why it is important to protect kids from the virus, and what we can expect in the third year of the pandemic.

Protecting ourselves, friends and family, and a motivation to travel, were among the top reasons West Australians received a COVID-19 vaccine, Dr Samantha Carlson explains. These were some of the key findings from the CORONAVAX study – a joint initiative between The University of Western Australia and Telethon Kids Institute – in which we’ve been asking West Australians about their views on Covid-19 vaccines.

The Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases (based at Telethon Kids Institute) is working to deliver better ear health outcomes for all kids. Working in partnership with the Aboriginal community in south metro Perth, families are seen through the Djaalinj Waakinj (listening and talking) program while our microbiologists work in the lab to discover better prevention and treatment for otitis media (middle ear infections).

Extremely preterm infants, born less than 28 weeks gestation, account for 75% of newborn death and disability. Can topical coconut oil reduce late-onset sepsis in extremely preterm infants? Researchers across Australia and New Zealand are participating in the COSI-2 trial to evaluate the effect of coconut oil when used for skin care in extremely preterm infants on the development of sepsis.

Researchers from the Telethon Kids Institute have identified the main bacteria responsible for recurrent ear infections and repeat ear surgeries in children - bringing them one step closer to eliminating ear infections in young children.