Prof Timms said the trial would be the largest of its kind, with up to 500 koalas being involved over a year-long period.
He said the initial shots would take place at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, with koalas coming into the trial from across southeast Queensland, including the Sunshine Coast and Noosa.
Koala rescue groups will monitor the koalas once they are released after being treated and vaccinated.
âOur goal is to determine if the vaccine can protect animals that are released from care by reducing the number of koalas that subsequently get serious clinical disease,â Prof Timms said. University of the Sunshine Coast microbiologists Professor Peter Timms and Associate Professor Adam Polkinghorne tend to a sick koala.