Outline

Overview

This unit provides postgraduate students with a comprehensive and critical understanding of immunisation principles and the role of vaccination in shaping public health outcomes. Students will explore the impact of vaccination on the epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), learn how to assess the need for new vaccines, and gain practical skills in implementing and monitoring vaccination programs. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics including the history and global impact of vaccination, basic immunological principles, disease surveillance, vaccination coverage, vaccine effectiveness and safety, vaccine scares, risk communication, program evaluation, immunisation in low and middle-income countries, health security, and methods for assessing disease burden and prioritising new vaccines. Learning activities are designed to support advanced academic and professional development. Students will participate in a face-to-face workshop delivered by Australia's eminent experts in immunisation. Students will also engage with online modules that introduce key concepts, and attend a small number of online interactive lectures and case study tutorials. Attendance at face-to-face and online sessions is strongly encourage in order to build critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills. Throughout the semester, students will have access to curated online resources and reading lists, and will be required to complete compulsory online quizzes, individual assignments, and a group assessment focused on real-world application. This unit is ideal for postgraduate students in public health, medicine, global health, epidemiology, or health policy who are seeking to specialise in immunisation or contribute to vaccination initiatives at local, national, or international levels.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Public Health
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Aditi Dey, aditi.dey@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Out-of-class quiz	Quiz Out-of-class quiz. 15 MCQs.	15%	Week 06 Due date: 08 Sep 2026 at 23:59	30 mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Written Assignment 1 Written response to vaccine effectiveness question.	30%	Week 08 Due date: 22 Sep 2026 at 23:59	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Written assessment 2 Written response to vaccine safety question	30%	Week 10 Due date: 13 Oct 2026 at 23:59	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Unit of study participation Participation in class discussions throughout the semester.	15%	Week 10 Due date: 15 Oct 2026 at 09:00	2 FTF + 5 live online	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group assignment Group presentation on vaccine uptake and acceptance	10%	Week 13 Due date: 04 Nov 2026 at 12:00	10 min presentation	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Quiz (15%) - due 8th September 2026 (Tuesday week 6).

Written Assignment 1 (30%) - due 22nd September 2026 (Tuesday week 8)

Written Assignment 2 (30%) - due 13th October 2026 (Tuesday week 10)

Group Assignment (10%) - due 4th November 2026 (Wednesday in class week 13)

Unit of Study Participation (15%) - due 15th October 2026 (Thursday week 10)

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85-100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75-84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for this unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlines by your faculty or school.
Credit	65-74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50-64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0-49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.
Absent fail	0-49	When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per University policy

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction, immunological principles and vaccine development	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Vaccine preventable disease surveillance, outbreaks and epidemiology. Immunisation coverage and registers.	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 03	Vaccine preventable disease surveillance, outbreaks and epidemiology. Vaccination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Case study - Texarkana measles outbreak	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 04	Immunisation programs. Case study 2: Introducing new vaccines into an immunisation program.	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Vaccination across the lifespan	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 06	Students work on assignments	Self-directed learning (3 hr)
Week 07	Vaccine safety lecture and case study	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 08	Enabling high vaccine coverage and mis/disinformation	Self-directed learning (2 hr)
Week 09	Evaluation of vaccination programs	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 10	Immunisation programs in the developing country context (LMICs)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Students work on assignments	Self-directed learning (3 hr)
Week 12	Students work on assignments	Self-directed learning (3 hr)
Week 13	Student presentations, Assignment 3	Seminar (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are strongly encouraged to attend all face-to-face workshops, and online seminars, and to actively engage in synchronous learning activities. There are also additional resources and references (asynchronous learning resources) provided each week in preparation for workshops and online seminars. Students are strongly encouraged to review these asynchronous resources prior to attending workshops and online seminars.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Understand the history and impact of vaccination
LO2. Describe the basic immunological principles of immunisation
LO3. Understand the key principles of surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases
LO4. Understand key considerations for introducing new vaccines and assessing vaccines for use in immunisation programs
LO5. Understand how vaccination coverage is calculated and monitored
LO6. Describe the principles of vaccine effectiveness
LO7. Describe vaccine safety monitoring systems and how responses to vaccination safety issues are managed
LO8. Understand how immunisation programs are evaluated
LO9. Understand key issues impacting immunisation in the developing country context
LO10. Describe strategies for improving vaccination communication, understanding determinants of vaccine uptake and enabling high vaccine coverage

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Face-to-face component split into two half days to enable students to attend.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

PUBH5426: Vaccines in Public Health

Semester 2, 2026 [Distance education/intensive on campus] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links