Australia has approved a groundbreaking vaccine to protect its koala population against chlamydia, marking a world-first initiative.
Researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast spent over ten years developing the single-dose vaccine, designed to shield the iconic marsupials from urinary tract infections, infertility, blindness, and death.
Chlamydia is responsible for approximately 50% of deaths among wild koala populations along Australia’s eastern eucalyptus forests. Professor Peter Timms, a microbiologist at UniSC’s Centre for Bioinnovation, stated that some colonies are on the brink of local extinction, particularly in South East Queensland and New South Wales, where infection rates can reach up to 70%.
Koalas, emblematic of Australian culture, are also threatened by habitat loss, animal attacks, road accidents, and devastating bushfires. In 2022, they were classified as critically endangered in Queensland, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory.
The vaccine, now approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, has already been trialed on hundreds of koalas, both in captivity and in the wild. Studies showed it reduces the likelihood of developing symptoms during breeding age and decreases mortality by at least 65%. It is based on the Chlamydia pecorum major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and provides three levels of protection: reducing infection, preventing disease progression, and, in some cases, reversing existing symptoms.
Researchers highlight the critical role of the vaccine in koala conservation, particularly as Australia continues to face environmental challenges like climate change and habitat protection.
