2021 Annual Scientific Meeting: 7 & 8 February 2021

The 2021 ASM was held virtually and continued with the tradition of a Sunday evening session and Monday sessions.

While historically the ASM has been dedicated to influenza, a significant portion of this year’s meeting was dedicated to COVID-19. Topics include the emergence and evolution of SARS-CoV-2, healthcare worker infections and immunity to COVID-19, and looked at responses around the world, including the Australian response. There were also updates on influenza and pneumococcal disease.

Recordings and PDFs for presentations from this event are available for viewing below.PDFs of some presentations are also available

MEETING PROGRAM: View or download

Speaker Bios available here

SUNDAY 7th February Sessions:

CHAIR: A/Prof Lou Irving

TOPICS and PRESENTERS:

SESSION 1:

  1. Initial emergence and spread of COVID – Ben Cowling
  2. Responses from around the world – Mary-Louise McLaws
  3. Australian response – Allen Cheng

SESSION 2:

  1. COVID vaccine overview – Paul Griffin
  2. Treatment overview – Steve Tong

MONDAY 8 February Sessions:

CHAIR: A/Prof Lou Irving

TOPICS and PRESENTERS:

SESSION 3:

  1. The role digital technology played in the COVID-19 pandemic – Rhema Vaithianathan
  2. Modelling to support decision making in uncertain times – Jodie McVernon
  3. Defining risk groups – Kirsty Short

CHAIR: A/Prof Margie Danchin

SESSION 4:

  1. Aged care – the weakest link? – Michael Murray
  2. Immunity to COVID-19 – Katherine Kedzierska
  3. COVID-19 in children – curiouser and curiouser – David Burgner

SESSION 5:

  1. Challenges facing distribution of COVID vaccines – Paul Effler
  2. Healthcare worker infections – Lou Irving
  3. Diagnostic tests – Deborah Williamson

CHAIR: A/Prof Lou Irving

SESSION 6:

  1. Differences in COVID & influenza – Bill Rawlinson
  2. Flu epidemiology – Ian Barr
  3. New vaccines – Cell based vs egg based – Gary Grohmann
  4. Pneumococcal disease – Changes to NIP, COVID-19 – Tony Korman