Margie Danchin

Margie is a consultant paediatrician at the Royal Childrens Hospital and Clinician Scientist, University of Melbourne, and Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI). As leader of the Vaccine Uptake Group, MCRI, her research focuses on vaccine confidence and uptake, particularly amongst high risk-groups and in low and middle-income countries, and on effective risk communication. It has led to significant shifts in understanding of the drivers of under-vaccination, development of tools and evidenced-based strategies to improve uptake and has directly informed policy and changes in immunisation practice in Australia. She leads a dynamic team and research program that includes qualitative research, randomised trials, systematic reviews, intervention co-design and partnerships with government/NGOs.

Margie is a member or chairs a range of committees or advisory bodies on immunisation which address national and regional immunisation issues, including the Scientific Advisory Committee, National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) and NCIRS Social Science Advisory Board, the Australian Society of Infectious Disease (ASID) Vaccination Special Interest Group and Victorian Vaccine Safety committee. She works closely with DFAT to provide technical immunisation support for the region as Chair, Australian Regional Immunisation Alliance (ARIA) and as a member of the Australian Expert Technical Assistance Program for Regional COVID-19 Vaccine Access: Policy, Planning and Implementation (AETAP-PPI) Advisory Board. She is a member of the International Pediatric Association (IPA) Vaccine Trust Project Program Advisory Group (PAG), steering committee for the MCRI COVID Governance Committee and Melbourne Children’s Global Health.

During the pandemic, Margie worked closely with the Commonwealth and Victorian State Governments on the COVID-19 rollout, including work to optimise uptake with priority adult and paediatric populations. She was seconded to the Victorian Department of Health and co-led the Victoria’s COVID-19 Response: Stronger Together conference toreflect on what was achieved, discuss successes and challenges and to shape the future of Victoria’s public health. Margie received several awards for impact and leadership around vaccination during the pandemic including the PHAA President’s award & Finalist Research Australia Advocacy Award as Chair, COSSI steering group, 2022; BioMelbourne Network Board of Directors Award, 2021 and University of Melbourne MDHS Dean's Award, 2021.

Margie received the Bob and June Prickett Churchill Fellowship in 2020 to improve vaccine and risk communication to optimise COVID and routine vaccine acceptance and uptake in Australia (taken in 2023) is now a member of the the Health and Medicine Panel of the Victorian Selection Committee for the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.