NCIRS Director to step down after 8 years of leadership

The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) has announced that Professor Kristine Macartney will be stepping down as Director in November to take up the role of Chief Medical Advisor at the Australian Centre for Disease Control.  

Kristine started as a Research Fellow at NCIRS in 2004, progressing to the role of Director in March 2018.  

During her tenure as Director, Kristine was instrumental in the development of 2 national vaccine surveillance collaborations, AusVaxSafety and the Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) networks. She also played a key role in establishing and growing the NCIRS Global Health portfolio to include work in the Asia-Pacific region, and in founding the Australian Immunisation Regional Alliance (ARIA).  

Kristine’s research at NCIRS has focused on all aspects of vaccinology and vaccine preventable disease control, especially viral diseases, vaccine policy and vaccine safety. She has authored more than 320 peer-reviewed publications. 

Kristine holds appointments as a clinical professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney and will remain as an Honorary Medical Officer at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. 

Speaking about her departure, Kristine said, ‘I'm so proud of the work NCIRS has achieved, including during my time as Director. From supporting Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to the countless evidence reviews, published reports and resources to support immunisation policy and practice in Australia and internationally – NCIRS and its people are special. 

‘It has truly been an honour to lead a brilliant team of researchers from many walks of life.

‘I want to thank all colleagues and collaborators who have contributed to our impactful journey and wish NCIRS all the best in this next exciting phase as it continues to grow.’ 

Kristine has also held roles on numerous key peak advisory committees, including the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the Advisory Committee on Vaccines (ACV) and Communicable Diseases Network of Australia.  

Further afield, Kristine has served as an expert consultant to the World Health Organization (WHO) and is a member of the WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety and working groups of the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization.  

Cathryn Cox PSM, Chief Executive of Sydney Children's Hospitals Network and NCIRS Advisory Board Chair, said, ‘Kristine has led NCIRS through a period of remarkable growth and transformation, including the COVID-19 pandemic, while strengthening its role as Australia's trusted authority on vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases, providing the evidence, expertise and leadership that have informed policy, supported programs, and protected communities.

Kristine has been an incredible asset to the organisation and should be congratulated for her leadership and wisdom. I would like to wish her all the very best in this exciting new role.’

Kristine will leave her post in November, with the recruitment process to appoint the next NCIRS Director underway.  

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