Koalas are cute, furry, iconic – and dying of chlamydia. But how well does the approved vaccine work?
News Source
•Sun, 25 Oct 2026 14:00:05 GMT
📰 What Happened
Chlamydia is the worst disease hitting koalas. In some wild groups, two out of three animals are infected. Sick koalas lose weight, go blind and often cannot have babies.
Antibiotics are hard to use. The drugs kill the gut bugs koalas need to digest gum leaves, so the cure can kill the patient.
A vaccine from University of the Sunshine Coast researchers was approved in September 2025. A 2024 study said it cut chlamydia deaths by 64% over ten years. Now another Queensland professor says that figure is wrong.
🔍 The Backstory
Prof Keith Chappell and Dr Michaela Blyton rechecked the data. They say a maths mistake gave the vaccine credit for time animals lived before their jab. After the fix, they found no real gap between vaccinated and unvaccinated koalas.
They call it a silly mistake and want the vaccine's use reviewed. The regulator, the APVMA, stands by its decision. It says the approved claim is narrow: the vaccine may help reduce signs of disease.
Koalas have been listed as endangered in Queensland, NSW and the ACT since 2022. Land clearing, cars and other diseases add to the pressure.
🎯 Why It Matters
Koalas are a national symbol, and disease is killing them fast. If the approved vaccine does not work, wildlife carers need to know before they rely on it.
Chlamydia is the worst disease hitting koalas. In some wild groups, two out of three animals are infected. Sick koalas lose weight, go blind and often cannot have babies.
Antibiotics are hard to use. The drugs kill the gut bugs koalas need to digest gum leaves, so the cure can kill the patient.
A vaccine from University of the Sunshine Coast researchers was approved in September 2025. A 2024 study said it cut chlamydia deaths by 64% over ten years. Now another Queensland professor says that figure is wrong.
Prof Keith Chappell and Dr Michaela Blyton rechecked the data. They say a maths mistake gave the vaccine credit for time animals lived before their jab. After the fix, they found no real gap between vaccinated and unvaccinated koalas.
They call it a silly mistake and want the vaccine's use reviewed. The regulator, the APVMA, stands by its decision. It says the approved claim is narrow: the vaccine may help reduce signs of disease.
Koalas have been listed as endangered in Queensland, NSW and the ACT since 2022. Land clearing, cars and other diseases add to the pressure.
Koalas are a national symbol, and disease is killing them fast. If the approved vaccine does not work, wildlife carers need to know before they rely on it.