WHO revises COVID-19 vaccine recommendations
The World Health Organisation says it wants to prioritise efforts on vaccinating those facing the greatest threat of severe disease and death from COVID-19.
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Top doctor’s flu warning ahead of virus triple threat
The former face of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Dr Nick Coatsworth, is urging Australians not to make the same mistake he did about the flu vaccine.
COVID-19 could be key to fighting breast cancer
The National Breast Cancer Foundation is backing a researcher's plan to try to use COVID-19 immunity to fight breast cancer.
Research shows rise in nicotine use during early COVID
Australia's nicotine consumption increased by 30 per cent in the early stages of the pandemic due to high stress and restrictions, researchers suggest.
WHO ‘still working to identify origins of COVID-19’
The World Health Organisation has not abandoned any plans to identify the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, its director general says.
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More than 104,000 wait to see health specialist in Qld
Queensland hospitals are struggling to meet demand with more than 104,000 outpatients waiting longer than the clinically recommended time to see a specialist.
WHO working with Cambodia on ‘worrying’ bird flu
The World Health Organisation has described the global H5N1 bird flu situation as "worrying" after two human cases of the disease were reported in Cambodia.
Virus cases rise as mandatory reporting ends
There has been a small increase in the nation's daily average COVID-19 cases, according to the latest health department data
National plan to tackle long COVID being developed
Health officials have told an inquiry a national plan in how to manage cases of long COVID is being developed.
Scientists develop new vaccine for encephalitis in pigs
Scientists have developed a new Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine for pigs to help stop the spread of this mosquito-borne disease.
New Zealand records first measles case since 2020
An Auckland adult who attended a music festival while infectious has tested positive to measles in New Zealand's first case since 2020.
All adults to be offered fresh COVID-19 booster
The government has announced everyone who has not had a COVID-19 booster or a case of the virus in the past six months can get another vaccine shot.
Regulator backs rapid tests as COVID-19 cases fall
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has issued a statement in defence of rapid antigen tests as COVID-19 caseloads continue to fall across the country.
Millions of RATs due to expire
Millions of RATs are due to expire in coming months, prompting debate about what to do with the excess tests.
COVID-19 cases continue to slide
The number of average daily COVID-19 cases in Australia is still trending downwards, federal government data shows.
Omicron jab gets provisional green light
A Pfizer booster that specifically tackles two Omicron COVID-19 variants has been given provisional approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
COVID-19 risks ease as cases keep falling
The latest Australian COVID-19 data on cases, hospitalisations and deaths shows the number of cases are still decreasing.
Surface spray could kill COVID-19, viruses
Researchers have developed a surface spray that can potentially kill viruses such as COVID-19 as well as deadly bacteria 24 hours after it's applied.
China reports huge rise in COVID-19 deaths
China has reported a massive jump in COVID-related deaths since its strict anti-virus regime was abandoned last month.
WHO urges shorter COVID-19 isolation time
The World Health Organisation has recommended that people without COVID-19 symptoms be allowed to end their period of isolation after five days.
Virus cases in post-Christmas decline
The number of people testing positive for COVID-19 went into steep decline in the weeks following Christmas after peaking just before the holiday break.
WHO urges plane travellers consider masks
The XBB.1.5 version of the Omicron coronavirus variant is on the rise in the United States and Europe, according to the World Health Organisation.
Deaths from virus spike amid call for calm
Australia's weekly COVID-19 data shows cases falling in Victoria and NSW while deaths rise, but health experts say it's too early for major concern.
Division over China travel test rule
Travellers arriving from China are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test after restrictions came into effect.
Ministers chastised for health advice snub
Anne Ruston says the government is undermining Australians' trust in medical experts by inferring advice from the chief medical officer wasn't cautious enough.
Chinese state media plays down COVID wave
China has rejected criticism of its COVID data and its state media has called other nation's new curbs on Chinese traveller's "discriminatory".
Minister defends COVID travel advice snub
Mark Butler says he is taking an abundance of caution in requiring travellers from China to record a negative COVID-19 test despite advice against the measure.
COVID test required of arrivals from China
Travellers from China will need to undergo mandatory testing for COVID-19 before boarding a flight to Australia, the health minister has announced.
Chinese travellers to face COVID tests
Travellers from China will need to undergo mandatory testing for COVID-19 before boarding a flight to Australia, the health minister has announced.
Fears mount over any China virus variants
Australian health authorities are being urged to keep a close eye on possible new COVID-19 variants coming out of China as cases spike.
COVID travel curbs ‘discriminatory’: China
The latest wave of China's COVID infections is likely to reach its peak in the next two weeks, with an estimated 9000 people dying every day.