COVID uncertainty here to stay: Morrison
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned of the threat of new COVID variants, saying uncertainty about the virus would remain for some time.
vaccines
NSW reports 5 virus deaths, 13,018 cases
More than 13,000 people in NSW have been newly diagnosed with COVID-19 and five elderly people have died after contracting the virus.
Qld records one virus death, 3,677 cases
Another person has died with COVID-19 in Queensland as the state records 3,677 new virus cases after the first mask-free weekend since early January.
Vaccine caused Tas man’s death: Coroner
A Tasmanian father of four died from adverse effects of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, a coroner has found.
WA has 2137 new Omicron cases, peak looms
Western Australia has recorded 2137 new COVID-19 cases, with the state's Omicron outbreak expected to peak within coming weeks.
Qld to ditch mask mandates, density limits
Queensland will scrap its mask mandate from 6pm Friday as overall virus numbers continue to fall.
Fewer businesses facing COVID disruptions
New figures have revealed 15 per cent of businesses had staff unavailable due to COVID-19 in February, down from 22 per cent in January.
SA virus cases rise, five more deaths
South Australia has reported a third day in a row of rising COVID-19 cases along with five more deaths.
Qld records 6 COVID-19 deaths, 6479 cases
Another six people have died with COVID-19 in Queensland as the state records 6479 new cases.
Anti-vaxxers set NZ parliament lawn ablaze
Anti-vax protesters have lit fires on the lawns outside New Zealand's parliament as police attempt to end their 23-day occupation of the grounds.
Novavax recommended as COVID booster
Australia's immunisation authority has recommended Novavax be used as a COVID-19 booster dose where mRNA vaccines are not available.
Qld records 24 COVID-19 deaths, 5011 cases
Another 24 people have died with COVID-19 in Queensland as the state records 5011 new cases, with 316 people in hospital and 26 in intensive care.
Aged care groups welcome dual jab plan
Peak bodies for aged care have welcomed the possibility of residents receiving a fourth COVID-19 vaccine and flu jab at the same time, ahead of winter.
Virus vaccine milestone for Aussie kids
More than half of Australia's five to 11-year-olds have received their first COVID-19 vaccine.
NZ records five COVID deaths, 12,011 cases
New Zealand's COVID-19 outbreak has doubled overnight, with 12,011 new cases on Friday and five deaths.
Pharmacists call for more vaccine support
The pharmacy peak body has called for greater financial remuneration to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine, as the Moderna rollout for children begins.
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.
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.