In this episode of the Cognitio Podcast, Associate Professor Natalie Carvalho unpacks how we measure the value of vaccines—and why our current health technology assessment (HTA) models might be missing the mark. From discount rates to broader societal benefits, Natalie offers a compelling look at the challenges and opportunities in vaccine evaluation, drawing on lessons from COVID-19 and beyond.

We’re also joined by Cathey Saha, the 2025 Katrina Campion Scholarship recipient, who shares the activities she will undertake as an ARCS Scholarship holder and what inspires her as an emerging leader in the sector.

Whether you're in policy, clinical research, or health economics, this episode offers timely insights into how we define value, equity, and impact in Australia's healthcare system.

🔗 Key topics:

• What health economics really values—and what it overlooks

• The long-term benefits of vaccines and the role of discounting

• Why broader impacts like mental health and economic resilience matter

• Global equity and Australia's role in regional vaccine access

• An earkly career perspective on the future of the medtech and pharmaceutical sector and its impact on public health

🎧 Tune in for a conversation that goes beyond the jab—and gets to the heart of what makes a health intervention truly valuable.