A single-dose vaccine to protect koalas from chlamydia has been approved for use across Australia for the first time, offering hope against a disease that wildlife carers describe as 'heartbreaking'. The vaccine does not require a booster shot, a key factor that researchers believe will facilitate its deployment in wild populations.
Dr Sam Phillips, a microbiologist who has spent nearly a decade developing the vaccine, noted the challenge of administering multiple doses to wild koalas. 'It’s difficult to catch a koala once, let alone two or three times,' he said. The single-dose formulation eliminates the need for repeated captures.
Chlamydia affects about 50% of koalas, with rates in some wild colonies reaching as high as 70%. Combined with deforestation and traffic accidents, the disease poses a major threat to the species. 'It’s a huge, devastating issue,' Phillips added.
The vaccine's approval marks a significant step in conservation efforts, with researchers hopeful it can be rolled out to wild populations to curb the spread of the infection.
