TGA paves way for under-fives vaccine
The TGA has given approval for Pfizer to submit an application for extending the use of its COVID-19 vaccine to children under five years of age.
epidemic and plague
Push for students to keep vaccinating
Victorian pharmacy students and interns have been an asset through the pandemic and there are calls to allow them to keep bolstering the vaccination workforce.
Booster gives 65pc protection from death
An Australian study of COVID-19 vaccines has found people who have had a booster shot are far less likely to die or be hospitalised with the Omicron variant.
COVID-19 and Australia’s unlearnt lessons
A new book by a Sydney academic explores the similarities between Australia's response to the Bubonic Plague in 1900 and COVID-19.
Flu and COVID ‘double whammy’ on hospitals
Rising cases of COVID-19 and the flu are putting strain on the nation's hospitals as winter sets in, Australia's chief medical officer says.
Qld to dump most virus vaccine mandates
Queensland will scrap COVID-19 vaccine mandates for workers in schools, prisons and airports and for visitors to aged and disability care facilities.
COVID-19 reinfection drives booster calls
New COVID-19 variants have led to rising case numbers and hospitalisations from the virus, prompting fresh warnings from experts.
Australia joins pandemic preparedness fund
The Albanese government will provide money for a new global fund designed to help prevent future pandemics.
Opposition calls for flight mask scrapping
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says Australia should end the requirement for all passengers on inbound international flights to wear a mask.
Minister urges aged care booster rate rise
Health Minister Mark Butler says he wants to see the fourth dose rate for COVID vaccines in aged care facilities increase.
Virus fight continues as funding extended
The prime minister and state and territory leaders have agreed on an extension of funding as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the health system.
Fewer COVID-19 deaths under female leaders
Countries with female leaders recorded 40 per cent fewer COVID-19 deaths compared to those run by men, new research from the University of Queensland says.
Novavax vaccine approved as COVID booster
The Novavax vaccine has been given the Australian regulator's tick of approval as a COVID-19 booster for people aged 18 and over, the company has announced.
COVID-19 hit mental health and hip pockets
Prolonged lockdowns during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic led many Australians to seek mental health support for the first time.
ATO says COVID tests could be a deduction
Taxpayers who took COVID-19 tests for work will be able to claim the cost on their tax return.
Women, low-income areas ‘most generous’
Women and low-income earners are among Australia's most generous when it comes to donating to a good cause, new research by the Australian Red Cross shows.
Kidney injury hidden in COVID-19 patients
Queensland researchers say the number of hospitalised COVID-19 patients who have a potentially-fatal acute kidney disease may be double the official rate.
Girls more stressed than boys about COVID
A new study has advised mental health initiatives in a pandemic should focus more on girls, who experienced greater stress than boys over the COVID-19 outbreak.
Alcohol health services see pandemic spike
The National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline received 25,000 calls in 2021, prompting concerns about Australian's post-pandemic drinking habits.
Experts concerned over low booster uptake
Health authorities are concerned about the low uptake of COVID-19 vaccine boosters, as ATAGI makes a fourth dose available for more Australians.
Second COVID booster eligibility expanded
An extra 1.5 million people are now eligible to receive a fourth COVID-19 vaccine, or second booster.
Pauline Hanson struck down with COVID-19
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has contracted COVID-19 and will remain in isolation until after Saturday's federal election.
Tas to lift virus density, capacity rules
Tasmania is lifting its remaining coronavirus density and capacity limits from this weekend, Premier Jeremy Rockliff has announced.
Rising COVID-19 cases inevitable: PM
Scott Morrison says rising COVID-19 infection rates were inevitable and Australia's management of the pandemic has been one of the best in the world.
One in five worked with COVID symptoms
Almost one-in-five-Australians surveyed admit they worked while experiencing COVID-19 symptoms at some point during the pandemic.
Albanese wants return of COVID-19 ads
Anthony Albanese wants more money put into COVID-19 advertising to ensure people get their coronavirus vaccination booster shots.
N.Korea reports first COVID-19 death
North Korea says one person has died from COVID-19, a day after the country announced its first coronavirus outbreak of the pandemic.
PM wants chance to act on pandemic lessons
The prime minister has asked voters for a chance to act on lessons learned during the COVID pandemic, as industry calls for the provision of rapid flu tests.
N.Korea confirms 1st COVID-19 outbreak
North Korea has confirmed its first COVID-19 outbreak, calling it the country's "biggest emergency incident", with leader Kim Jong-un ordering a lockdown.
Mask rules ditched for flyers in Europe
Australians travelling in Europe this northern spring will not have to wear masks on planes or at airports inside the EU, as COVID-19 restrictions ease.
NZ to open border fully from end of July
The New Zealand government wil bring forward the full reopening of its international border to the end of July, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced.