Millions gain access to fourth COVID shot
More people have become eligible for a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose, with all Australians over the age of 30 now in line for a second booster injection.
vaccines
Qld hospitals may halt elective surgeries
Elective surgeries may be suspended again in Queensland as the number of active COVID-19 cases in the state nears 40,000.
Qld urged to prepare for third virus wave
Queensland authorities are urging people to prepare for a third COVID-19 wave saying "it's very likely that either you or someone you know" will be infected.
Experts consider fourth COVID-19 vaccine
States and territories are considering reintroducing face mask mandates as experts eye expanding eligibility for a fourth dose COVID vaccination.
NSW warned third COVID-19 peak on its way
NSW Health expects COVID-19 cases will peak in late July and early August at levels similar to January, when Omicron cases were surging.
Calls to lower age limits for fourth doses
As Australia exceeds the 10,000 COVID-19 deaths mark, an infectious diseases expert has called for the fourth dose age limit to be lowered from 65 to 50.
Health ministers meet as COVID cases rise
Health Minister Mark Butler says the government cannot continue to fund COVID-19 payments and urged people to get their boosters as soon as possible.
NSW reports century-first diphtheria case
The two-year-old child is in intensive care at a Queensland hospital, where they've been given diphtheria antitoxin, antibiotics and respiratory support.
Emergency payments end before COVID surge
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler says the government can't continue to fund COVID-19 payments and urged people to get their boosters as soon as possible.
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.
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.
Federal Court strikes out anti-vaxxer case
A Federal Court judge says litigation against the Commonweath, states and NT over lockdown and vaccine mandates was an abuse of process.
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.
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.
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.
Queensland-developed vaccine gives hope for mums and babies
Expectant mothers and transplant candidates are among those expected to benefit following a vaccine breakthrough at a Queensland medical research institute.
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.
Virus toll climbs by 106 over weekend
More than 100 COVID-19 deaths have been reported across Australia over the past two days, along with more than 47,000 new infections.
Aust cruise ship key in Vanuatu jab race
As Vanuatu prepares to reopen on July 1, an Australian cruise ship refitted as a floating vaccine clinic is racing to get to the country's remote islands.
Omicron wave cases double reported: study
Blood samples indicate almost one in five Australian adults recently had COVID-19 after the peak of the Omicron wave.
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.
Vax mandate needs to stay: Qld police boss
Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has testified for a second time at the trial of more than 70 police and health workers challenging jab mandates.
Tasmania targets record-high flu jabs
Health authorities in Tasmania want a record number of people to get vaccinated against influenza amid a spike in infections.
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.
Aussie AstraZeneca CEO honoured by Queen
The Australian boss of pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, which produced a crucial vaccine against COVID-19, has been given a knighthood by the Queen.
‘Enough’ vaccines for free Vic flu program
Victoria will roll out a month-long free flu vaccine program in GPs and pharmacies this winter, with authorities confident there is enough stock to go around.