On Saturday, Victoria's Chief Veterinary Officer, Graeme Cooke, announced a Phillip Island little penguin had died from H5N1 bird flu. It is the first detected case amongst the colony.

Only last week, the state government announced it would vaccinate 5,000 little penguins on Phillip Island and St Kilda Pier against the virus.

Watch a video on how the vaccination program will work below.

Phillip Island’s little penguins were getting vaccinated for H5N1 bird flu on Monday evening, in an effort from the state government to immunise 5,000 of the species against the deadly virus.

Still, even as the little birds lined up for their shots, uncertainty around the roll out of the program was building following the death of a little penguin from bird flu in the island’s colony confirmed this past weekend.

The Monitor spoke to Victoria’s Chief Biodiversity Officer, James Todd, about the vaccination program to clear up some questions you might have.

It’s not too late to vaccinate

Todd told the Monitor that despite the confirmed case over the weekend, the timing for the roll out of the vaccinations was spot on.

“Most of the colony on Phillip Island is currently out at sea. They spend most of the winter months out at sea foraging and building up their weight to come back and mate in spring.”

Todd said even if they had started vaccinating birds a month ago, there would’ve only been a few hundred on the island and so they’d still be waiting for penguins to return now.

How effective will the vaccine be?

To be fully vaccinated, each penguin must receive two jabs, typically spaced four to six weeks apart.

Todd said with the positive case over the weekend means the team at Phillip Island Nature Parks, who are administering the shots, will be looking to vaccinate as many penguins with their first shot as possible.

“Advice from experts indicates that even getting one dose into an animal will deliver a positive immune response.”

Todd said the government wasn’t exactly sure how effective the vaccine will be at protecting penguins.

Read the full story here.

🎊 Spring is almost here and there’s so many great events on this month to celebrate the warmer season.

To help you plan ahead, the Monitor has compiled a list.

📧 If you have any suggestions you’d like to share please email us at [email protected].

Check out the full list here.

💃 It’s time to dust off your dancing shoes, remove that winter jacket and show off your best moves.

📧 If you know of any shows you think we should add, email your suggestions to [email protected].

Check out the full list here.

In 1994, NSW state MP John Newman was shot on his doorstep in Cabramatta. It's believed to be Australia's first political assassination.

The man convicted of organising the killing, Phuong Ngo, is now serving a life sentence with no parole in Goulburn's Supermax prison.

My colleague Archie Milligan from the National Account had a look at what happened, how Ngo was convicted, and why serious questions remain.

Take a look at a video on the story below.