The ASCIA Immunodeficiency Strategy was launched on Friday 29 April 2022, 9-9.45am AEST, during World Primary Immunodeficiency (PID) Week 22-29 April 2022 and on the International Day of Immunology, 29 April 2022. 

ASCIA has worked in collaboration with patient organisations to develop the Strategy and the first goal is to enable early diagnosis of severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) by newborn screening (NBS) of the Australian population. 

Media coverage of the Strategy launch was extensive, and mainly focused on the need for routine SCID NBS. Links to open access media articles are shown below. 

Following the Strategy launch, in June 2022 the formal recommendation for SCID to be included in Australian Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programs was announced in a media statement by the Australian Government https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/international-neonatal-screening-day

The Queensland state government has announced that they will fund routine SCID NBS and the statement is available here: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/95429

It is anticipated that other Australian states will make funding commitments for SCID NBS following these announcements.

A media release for the Strategy launch is available here ASCIA IMMUNODEFICIENCY STRATEGY MEDIA RELEASE 2022-04-29226.29 KB or you can view it online at https://www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/info-updates/ascia-immunodeficiency-strategy-launch-29-april-2022

A media release was also issued for HAE Day on 16 May 2022, and this is available at www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/info-updates/hae-day-monday-16-may-2022 

Links to open access media articles are available here:

https://www.9news.com.au/national/adenosine-deaminase-deficiency-ada-scid-immune-disease-queensland-baby-hospital-screening/91872eb7-0266-47ef-afe1-b20523e93

https://www.pharmacyitk.com.au/a-10-screening-test-could-have-helped-my-bubble-baby/

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1519967634820845569

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1519974016341008384

https://honey.nine.com.au/latest/blood-disorder-hereditary-angioedema-hae-personal-experience-new-medication/ac555786-1dfe-40ae-ac43-a53891ba099f

https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/my-stomach-got-bigger-and-bigger-mums-life-threatening-disorder-misdiagnosed-for-years-c-6814157

This news item was issued on 29 April 2022 and updated on 1 July 2022 by Jill Smith, CEO of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). ASCIA is the peak professional body for clinical immunology and allergy in Australia and New Zealand.