The inaugural COVID-19 Conference Day
10 September 2021
Thank you to everyone who attend the Devils in the Details – Making sense of COVID-19 a one-day conference, featuring thematic sessions from a range of speakers.
This event was convened by Professor Sharon Lewin, AO, Director of the Peter Doherty Institute and Co-Chaired by Associate Professor Edwina Wright, AM, of the Alfred Hospital and Monash University in Melbourne.
All presentations are available to watch on demand until end of January 2022.
Click HERE to view speakers.
Executive Summary and Day Rapporteurs Report
Download a copy of the Executive summary and Rapporteurs Report to learn about the key findings and discussions of the day.
Program Overview
09:00 – 10:00
Devils in the Details – Making sense of COVID-19: Plenary
Chair: Sharon Lewin
Welcome to Country
Welcome and Intro
Sharon Lewin, Peter Doherty Institute For Infection And Immunity, VIC
Challenges of designing a COVID-19 vaccine
Paul Young, The University of Queensland
Q&A
10:00 – 10:20
Break
10:20 – 11:30
SESSION 1. New basic science on SARS-CoV-2 origins, variants and immune responses
Chair: Heidi Drummer, Burnet Institute and Wei Zhao, Peter Doherty Institute
Current knowledge on the origins of SARS-CoV-2
Edward Holmes, University of Sydney
Current understanding of the differential immune response to SARS-CoV-2 natural infection and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines
Jennifer Juno, University of Melbourne
Current understanding of the virology and neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern
Stuart Turville, Assoc Prof Kirby Institute
Q&A and Panel Discussion
11:30 – 12:15
Break
12:15 – 13:25
SESSION 2. Clinical sequelae following SARS-CoV-2 infection and emerging treatments for SARS-CoV-2 infection
Chair: Adeeba Kamarulzaman, University of Malaysia and James McMahon, Alfred Hospital, Monash University
Living with Long COVID
Q&A with Mirabai Nicholson-McKellar and Edwina Wright, Alfred Health and Monash University, VIC
Clinical sequelae following SARS-CoV-2 infection
Gail Matthews, The Kirby Institute UNSW
Efficacy of camostat mesilate (TMPRSS2 inhibitor) in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Ole Schmeltz Søgaard, Aarhus University, Denmark
Immunomodulatory strategies against severe SARS-CoV-2 infection
Steve Webb, Professor of Critical Care Research, Monash University
Q&A and Panel Discussion
13:25 – 14:00
Break
14:00 – 15:10
SESSION 3. Epidemiological tools required for heavy lifting during the COVID-19 pandemic: Nowcasting, mandatory masking wearing and prioritisation of Indigenous leadership
Chair: Margie Danchin, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and John Kaldor, Kirby Institute
Nowcasting the COVID-19 pandemic
Kathy Leung, University of Hong Kong
The role of a mandatory mask policy in reducing COVID-19 cases in Melbourne, Australia
Nick Scott, Burnet Institute
Prioritising Indigenous engagement when planning for infectious diseases outbreaks and pandemics
Professor James Ward, Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, University of Queensland, QLD
Q&A and Panel Discussion
15:10 – 15:30
Break
15:30 – 16:40
SESSION 4. COVID-19: an examination of the Social Aspects of Masks, Mathematical Models and Vaccine acceptability in PLWHIV and PrEP Users
Chair: Kiran Pienaar, Deakin University and Bridget Haire, Kirby Institute, UNSW
COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among people living with HIV (PLWHIV) and PrEP users
Dean Murphy, Alfred Hospital
Facemasks: historical and theoretical perspectives and use during COVID-19
Deborah Lupton, UNSW
Bringing Maths and Modelling for public understanding and social change during pandemics
Kari Lancaster, UNSW
Q&A and Panel Discussion
16:40 – 17:00
Conference Wrap Up / Closing
Final comments and closing
Edwina Wright, Conference co-chair, Alfred Hospital, Monash Central Clinical School
