Delay for under-5s COVID vaccine approval
The medical regulator says vaccine approval for under-fives will not be considered until after Easter, as Moderna gets the green light for six to 11-year-olds.
vaccines
Experts seek higher child vaccination rate
Health experts are set to meet next week to discuss the use of schools and other means to boost the COVID-19 vaccination rate for children.
WA faces ‘half a million’ Omicron cases
Long-awaited health department modelling suggests Western Australia will record almost 500,000 Omicron cases in the next six months.
Household iso rules could be relaxed: Hunt
Health Minister Greg Hunt has indicated there is further capacity to reduce isolation requirements for household contacts to match those for essential workers.
First tourists touch down after two years
Australia's international borders have reopened to tourists for the first time in two years, sparking happy scenes at airports across the country.
Joy as virus restrictions ease, for now
Victoria has recorded 20 COVID-19 deaths and NSW 12 as residents in those states and the ACT enjoy greater freedoms after many restrictions were scrapped.
Industry calls for unified COVID-19 rules
As jurisdictions ease their COVID measures, leading industry groups have called for states and territories to be on the same page when it comes to restrictions.
Masks remain as Vic scraps density limits
Victoria's hospitality density quotas and some QR check-ins will be scrapped on Friday, but mask rules will stay, as the state begins moving "back to normal".
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine approved for kids
Provisional regulatory approval has been granted for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to be used by children aged six years and over.
WA soon set to make Australia whole again
WA Premier Mark McGowan says an announcement on the reopening date of the state's hard border will be made by the end of the month.
Still no end to NZ anti-vaccine protest
Speaker Trevor Mallard has been criticised by police for his tactics to move on a week-long protest on New Zealand's parliamentary lawns.
PM defends timing of rapid test orders
A petition of more than 150,000 people has been tabled in parliament calling for free access to rapid antigen tests.
Vaccine protest as doctors launch campaign
The prime minister says he understands the concerns of anti-vaccination protesters, as the AMA launches a campaign for more public hospital funding.
Novavax rollout to begin from next week
The protein-based vaccine Novavax will begin its rollout on Monday, one week ahead of schedule.
AstraZeneca booster provisionally approved
The AstraZeneca booster shot has been provisionally approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for people aged 18 and over.
COVID boosters to be required in aged care
Adults who have received a COVID-19 booster are considered "up to date" with their vaccines under new advice from the nation's immunisation advisory group.
Federal call for tourism vaccine unity
Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan has slammed the possibility of Victoria requiring overseas tourists to have three vaccine doses to enter, rather than two.
Vaccine protesters admitted to parliament
Federal MP Craig Kelly has allowed a small group of anti-vaccination protesters inside Parliament House as demonstrations continue outside.
Aged care minister bucks calls to resign
Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck has defended the federal government's handling of the COVID-19 response in the sector.
Defence force to help aged care sector
Members of the Australian Defence Force will be deployed to help assist aged care facilities as they deal with COVID-19 surges.
Overseas tourists to return on February 21
Australia's ban on international tourists will end on February 21 after a decision by the federal government, with double vaccination required for entry.
Australia reaches 95pct vaccination target
Some 95 per cent of Australians have been vaccinated against COVID-19, with the country now boasting one of the world's highest jab rates.
Military not aged care silver bullet: PM
The prime minister says he's spoken to his health and defence ministers and defence chiefs about how to deal with aged care staff shortages.
Data shows growing Indigenous vaccine gap
New data reveals all states and territories have failed to deliver vaccines to Indigenous Australians at the same rate as the rest of the population.
Qld reports 8643 virus cases, nine deaths
Queensland has recorded 8643 new COVID-19 cases and nine deaths, including four fatalities in aged care.
Thousands of teens eligible for boosters
More people will now be able to receive COVID-19 boosters, with 16- and 17-year-olds eligible for the third dose ahead of a predicted winter surge in cases.
Three in four COVID deaths had health risk
A Senate hearing into COVID-19 has been told nearly three-quarters of people who died from the virus had an underlying health condition.
Rapid tests spark consumer watchdog probe
Retailers charging excessive prices for rapid tests have been sent a warning that if they don't slim their margins they could end up in court.
Rapid test concern as schools return
As school students return for the start of the year, a new survey has shown nearly one in three parents won't follow rapid testing requirements.
Another deadly day as NSW provides support
The death toll stemming from the Omicron variant continues to grow, as NSW provided a new $1 billion business support package.
PM issues Kanye West vaccination warning
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says US rap star Kanye West will need to be fully vaccinated if he wants to go ahead with his Australian stadium tour.