Overview
Background
Dr Lisa McHugh is a perinatal and infectious diseases epidemiologist at the UQ School of Public Health (SPH). A Level C Senior Research Fellow and NHMRC Emerging Leader (EL1) Investigator Grant recipient, Lisa leads her own small team of researchers through her 5-year program ‘VaxiMums’, which is evaluating the uptake, effectiveness and equity of maternal vaccinations and respiratory infections.
Lisa is currently a CI on an Industry funded national study evaluating RSV hospitalisations in children <5yrs of age. She contributes her expertise from existing epidemiological RSV research.
She is a CI on a project with Qld Health looking at the acceptability of new RSV strategies among parents.
Lisa is currently leading a pilot project investigating pregnancy loss after receiving influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations in early pregnancy-the first study of its kind in Australia, and one of only a few internationally. Lisa’s extensive collaborations involve Primary Health Care Networks, First Nations midwives, maternal and child health nurse immunisers, consumers, Queensland Health, and national and international experts in the field.
Lisa has supervised 3 MEpi students to completion-all with the highest GPA of 7. She is currently the primary advisor of 2 PhD students, 2 MEpi students and a MBiostats student.
Projects currently being investigated by her and her students include:
- Effectiveness of influenza, pertussis & COVID vaccinations in pregnancy against adverse maternal-infant outcomes
- RSV hospitalisations among First Nations children aged <2yrs (Lisa leading thie collaboration with UQCCR)
- Adverse birth outcomes among NT mother-infant pairs after maternal vaccinations
- Pertussis vaccine effectiveness among preterm infants
- Vaccine failures after influenza + pertussis vaccination in pregnancy
Lisa is the Academic Integrity Officer for SPH, and mentors 2 academics in the SPH Mentoring Program. Her research expertise and interests include clinical midwifery, First Nations health, infectious diseases, pregnancy and birth outcomes, and maternal vaccination. She has been a member of the Public Health Association of Australia since 2014, and Immunisation Special Interest Group working group member, contributing to the latest Immunisation Policy Review (2026).
Lisa is also member of the Australasian Epidemiological Association and Editor for the Aust and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.
She reviews for NHMRC grant applications.
When not working Lisa can be found (or not found) trail running, hiking in the middle of nowhere and swimming.
Availability
- Dr Lisa McHugh is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Nursing), University of Sydney
- Doctor of Philosophy, Charles Darwin University
- Masters (Research), Australian National University
- Certificate of Midwifery, Royal Hospital for Women
Research interests
-
Vaccines in pregnancy
Influenza, pertussis, Covid & RSV vaccinations in pregnancy, First Nations mother-infant pairs, RSV, Adverse perinatal outcomes,
-
Infectious disease epidemiology
Influenza, Pertussis, RSV, COVID-19.
-
Perinatal epidemiology
Adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, Pregnancy loss, First Nations mother-infant pairs.
Research impacts
With a career total of 36 publications (9 published during her PhD), 86% (31/36) have met UN sustainable development goals. Post-doc, Lisa has successfully acquired >$4.1M in NHMRC & MRFF Category 1 funding alone.
Prior to Lisa's research, there was minimal evidence about the uptake, safety, effectiveness and equity of vaccines in pregnancy. During her EL1 Grant, she has built her own research group from the ground up and led multiple projects which have contributed new evidence to the maternal vaccination field. Specifically 2 that have recently attracted widespread media interest and interviews:
- the 1st study globally to investigate vaccine safety in twin pregnancies
- Spatial analysis of climate and community-level determinants of RSV notifications among Qld infants
Lisa was a chief-investigator on the multi-jurisdictional NHMRC-funded project grant 'Links2HealthierBubs' which created the largest linked cohort of individual mother-infant pairs. Lisa has investigated the equity, geographical, ethnic and socio-economic influences of influenza and pertussis vaccine uptake in pregnancy, and the effectiveness of maternal pertussis vaccination among First Nations infants.
In 2025, Lisa was invited to participate as the Qld representative in a national roundtable of experts in maternal vaccination to address the declining uptake of vaccination in pregnancy. As a recognised expert in her field, this meeting was commissioned by the Federal Government, organised by Industry, and resulted in the co-authorship and publication of a Whitepaper (Maternal Immunisation in Australia - Biointelect) attracting subsequent media coverage.
Lisa's invited review by the Australian College of Midwives described the recommendations for maternal vaccination and strategies aimed at midwives and vaccine providers.to increase their uptake. Lisa invited 3 First Nations collaborators and a consumer representative to co-write this piece (2025).
Lisa's contribution to maternal vaccination has provided unique methodological and clinical knowledge to national immunisation policy recommendations and to the international evidence base. Her work has sustained stakeholder engagement across all levels of government, Industry and health care service providers-advocating for the protection for pregnant women and infants against life-threatening respiratory infections.
Works
Search Professor Lisa McHugh’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2026
Journal Article
The risk of adverse birth outcomes among twin pregnancies after influenza and pertussis vaccinations during pregnancy: a data linkage study
Boyle, Kahlee, Graham, Sarah, Binks, Michael and Mchugh, Lisa (2026). The risk of adverse birth outcomes among twin pregnancies after influenza and pertussis vaccinations during pregnancy: a data linkage study. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 133 (5), 1083-1092. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.70156
Featured
2026
Journal Article
A retrospective cohort study and spatial analysis of climate and community-level determinants of respiratory syncytial virus notifications among Queensland infants, prior to the introduction of the RSV mother and infant protection program (RSV-MIPP) immunisation initiative
Graham, Sarah, Sartorius, Benn, Snelling, Tom, Homaira, Nusrat, Newall, Anthony T., Binks, Michael, Lau, Colleen, Hughes, Catherine and McHugh, Lisa (2026). A retrospective cohort study and spatial analysis of climate and community-level determinants of respiratory syncytial virus notifications among Queensland infants, prior to the introduction of the RSV mother and infant protection program (RSV-MIPP) immunisation initiative. BMC Public Health, 26 (1) 615, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-26288-6
Featured
2024
Journal Article
The effectiveness of maternal pertussis vaccination for protecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants against infection, 2012–2017: a retrospective cohort study
McHugh, Lisa, D’Antoine, Heather A., Sarna, Mohinder, Binks, Michael J., Moore, Hannah C., Andrews, Ross M., Pereira, Gavin F., Blyth, Christopher C., Van Buynder, Paul, Lust, Karin and Regan, Annette K (2024). The effectiveness of maternal pertussis vaccination for protecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants against infection, 2012–2017: a retrospective cohort study. Medical Journal of Australia, 220 (4), 196-201. doi: 10.5694/mja2.52220
Featured
2023
Journal Article
Maternal pertussis vaccination, infant immunization, and risk of pertussis
Regan, Annette K., Moore, Hannah C., Binks, Michael J., McHugh, Lisa, Blyth, Christopher C., Pereira, Gavin, Lust, Karin, Sarna, Mohinder, Andrews, Ross, Foo, Damien, Effler, Paul V., Lambert, Stephen and Van Buynder, Paul (2023). Maternal pertussis vaccination, infant immunization, and risk of pertussis. Pediatrics, 152 (5) e2023062664, 1-11. doi: 10.1542/peds.2023-062664
Featured
2023
Journal Article
Influenza and pertussis vaccine coverage in pregnancy in Australia, 2016–2021
McRae, Jocelynne E., McHugh, Lisa, King, Catherine, Beard, Frank H., Blyth, Christopher C., Danchin, Margie H., Giles, Michelle L., Mohammed, Hassen, Wood, Nicholas and Macartney, Kristine (2023). Influenza and pertussis vaccine coverage in pregnancy in Australia, 2016–2021. Medical Journal of Australia, 218 (11), 528-541. doi: 10.5694/mja2.51989
Featured
2023
Journal Article
Inequity of antenatal influenza and pertussis vaccine coverage in Australia: the Links2HealthierBubs record linkage cohort study, 2012–2017
McHugh, Lisa, Regan, Annette K., Sarna, Mohinder, Moore, Hannah C., Van Buynder, Paul, Pereira, Gavin, Blyth, Christopher C., Lust, Karin, Andrews, Ross M., Crooks, Kristy, Massey, Peter and Binks, Michael J. (2023). Inequity of antenatal influenza and pertussis vaccine coverage in Australia: the Links2HealthierBubs record linkage cohort study, 2012–2017. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23 (1) 314, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/s12884-023-05574-w
Featured
2021
Journal Article
National predictors of influenza vaccine uptake in pregnancy: the FluMum prospective cohort study, Australia, 2012–2015
McHugh, Lisa, O'Grady, Kerry‐Ann F., Nolan, Terry, Richmond, Peter C., Wood, Nicholas, Marshall, Helen S., Lambert, Stephen B., Chatfield, Mark D., Perrett, Kirsten P., Binks, Paula, Binks, Michael J. and Andrews, Ross M. (2021). National predictors of influenza vaccine uptake in pregnancy: the FluMum prospective cohort study, Australia, 2012–2015. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 45 (5) 1753-6405.13130, 455-461. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.13130
Featured
2019
Journal Article
The safety of influenza and pertussis vaccination in pregnancy in a cohort of Australian mother-infant pairs, 2012-2015: The FluMum Study
McHugh, Lisa, Marshall, Helen S., Perrett, Kirsten P., Nolan, Terry, Wood, Nicholas, Lambert, Stephen B., Richmond, Peter, Ware, Robert S., Binks, Paula, Binks, Michael J. and Andrews, Ross M. (2019). The safety of influenza and pertussis vaccination in pregnancy in a cohort of Australian mother-infant pairs, 2012-2015: The FluMum Study. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 68 (3), 402-408. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciy517
2025
Journal Article
Neonatal and infant mortality after maternal influenza and pertussis vaccination: probabilistically linked cohort study
Sarna, Mohinder, Blyth, Christopher C., Moore, Hannah C., Pereira, Gavin, Mchugh, Lisa, Binks, Michael, Lust, Karin, Van Buynder, Paul, Foo, Damien, Andrews, Ross and Regan, Annette K. (2025). Neonatal and infant mortality after maternal influenza and pertussis vaccination: probabilistically linked cohort study. Human Vaccines aand Immunotherapeutics, 21 (1) 2587307. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2025.2587307
2025
Journal Article
Public health research priorities of ANZJPH: Findings of our priority setting process
McCrabb, Sam, Hall, Alix, Fee, Madeleine, Tong, Michael, Gupta, Adyya, Poirier, Brianna, Hwang, Jane, Metse, Alexandra P., McHugh, Lisa, Murray, Linda, Finlay, Summer May and Wolfenden, Luke (2025). Public health research priorities of ANZJPH: Findings of our priority setting process. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 49 (5) 100277, 100277-5. doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100277
2025
Journal Article
The Australian maternal vaccination landscape in 2025 and beyond: New recommendations and strategies to improve uptake
McHugh, Lisa, Connors, Melina, Denaro, Tara, Hughes, Catherine and Giudice, Sonita (2025). The Australian maternal vaccination landscape in 2025 and beyond: New recommendations and strategies to improve uptake. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 49 (5) 100279, 1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100279
2025
Journal Article
Pregnancy loss <28 weeks gestation in maternal influenza and COVID-19 vaccination studies: a review of data sources, 2009–2024
Dakiniewich, Alexa, Graham, Sarah, Dyda, Amalie and McHugh, Lisa (2025). Pregnancy loss <28 weeks gestation in maternal influenza and COVID-19 vaccination studies: a review of data sources, 2009–2024. Public Health, 243 105733, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2025.105733
2025
Journal Article
Welcoming the new ANZJPH editor-in-chief and their strategic development plans to strengthen public health research
Hall, Alix, McCrabb, Sam, Tong, Michael, Gupta, Adyya, Poirier, Brianna, McHugh, Lisa, Hwang, Ye In (Jane), Metse, Alex P., Murray, Linda, Smithers, Lisa Gaye, Finlay, Summer May and Wolfenden, Luke (2025). Welcoming the new ANZJPH editor-in-chief and their strategic development plans to strengthen public health research. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 49 (1) 100217, 100217. doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100217
2023
Journal Article
Area-level geographic and socioeconomic factors and the local incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Queensland between 2020 and 2022
Ward, Selina, Restrepo, Angela Cadavid and McHugh, Lisa (2023). Area-level geographic and socioeconomic factors and the local incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Queensland between 2020 and 2022. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 47 (6) 100094, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100094
2023
Journal Article
The changing epidemiology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae genogroups and antimicrobial resistance in Queensland, Australia, 2010–15: a case series analysis of unique Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates
McHugh, Lisa, Dyda, Amalie, Guglielmino, Christine, Buckley, Cameron, Lau, Colleen L., Jennison, Amy V., Regan, David G., Wood, James, Whiley, David and Trembizki, Ella (2023). The changing epidemiology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae genogroups and antimicrobial resistance in Queensland, Australia, 2010–15: a case series analysis of unique Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates. Sexual Health, 20 (4), 296-302. doi: 10.1071/sh22118
2022
Journal Article
Timing and temporal trends of influenza and pertussis vaccinations during pregnancy in three Australian jurisdictions: The Links2HealthierBubs population‐based linked cohort study, 2012–2017
Mchugh, Lisa, Van Buynder, Paul, Sarna, Mohinder, Andrews, Ross M., Moore, Hannah C., Binks, Michael J., Pereira, Gavin, Blyth, Christopher C., Lust, Karin, Foo, Damien and Regan, Annette K. (2022). Timing and temporal trends of influenza and pertussis vaccinations during pregnancy in three Australian jurisdictions: The Links2HealthierBubs population‐based linked cohort study, 2012–2017. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 63 (1), 27-33. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13548
2022
Journal Article
Defining the peak: point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 using randomised sampling
Wattiaux, Andre L., May, Fiona, Allen, Terresa, Bladen, Tracy, Pery, Brielle, McHugh, Lisa, Slinko, Vicki, Sykes, Alice, De Silva, Lashan, Bajra, Jay, Andrews, Ross and Khandaker, Gulam (2022). Defining the peak: point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 using randomised sampling. Communicable Diseases Intelligence, 46. doi: 10.33321/cdi.2022.46.24
2022
Journal Article
Transplacental transfer of RSV antibody in Australian First Nations infants
Homaira, Nusrat, Binks, Michael, Walker, Gregory, Larter, Natasha, Clark, Katrina, Campbell, Megan, McHugh, Lisa, Briggs, Nancy, Nyiro, Joyce, Stelzer-Braid, Sacha, Hu, Nan, Macartney, Kristine, Snelling, Tom, Omer, Saad B, Rawlinson, William, Andrews, Ross and Jaffe, Adam (2022). Transplacental transfer of RSV antibody in Australian First Nations infants. Journal of Medical Virology, 94 (2), 782-786. doi: 10.1002/jmv.27383
2021
Journal Article
Development of the COVID-19 Real-Time Information System for Preparedness and Epidemic Response (CRISPER), Australia
Field, Emma, Dyda, Amalie, Hewett, Michael, Weng, Haotian, Shi, Jingjing, Curtis, Stephanie, Law, Charlee, McHugh, Lisa, Sheel, Meru, Moore, Jess, Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Pillai, Priyanka, Konings, Paul, Purcell, Michael, Stocks, Nigel, Williams, Graham and Lau, Colleen L. (2021). Development of the COVID-19 Real-Time Information System for Preparedness and Epidemic Response (CRISPER), Australia. Frontiers in Public Health, 9 753493, 753493. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.753493
2020
Conference Publication
Innovation for a digital world: an evaluation of an open-access antimicrobial resistance surveillance system in tropical Australia
Goddard, L., McHugh, L. and Wozniak, T. (2020). Innovation for a digital world: an evaluation of an open-access antimicrobial resistance surveillance system in tropical Australia. International Congress on Infectious Diseases 2020, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 20-23 February 2020. Oxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.122
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Lisa McHugh is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Measuring the effectiveness of influenza, pertussis and COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy against maternal and infant infections, hospitalisations, ICU admissions and deaths.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Amalie Dyda
-
Doctor Philosophy
The safety of maternal influenza, pertussis and COVID-19 vaccination against adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes
Principal Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Lisa McHugh directly for media enquiries about:
- epidemiology
- influenza and whooping cough vaccines in pregnancy
- maternal vaccnation
- pertussis
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: