Vaccines and Immunity

The new Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, which target a new strain of the virus, will become available in December.

Genes, environment and lifestyle are some of the risk factors for serious diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. This is why scientists believe COVID-19 infection should be added to the list, writes Catherine Taylor.

We're in the grips of a surging COVID-19 wave but there's some good news — the new monovalent COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna will be up for grabs from December 11.

Wearing a mask at the shops, on public transport and in other crowded settings will help prevent you from getting infected with COVID or spreading it to other people, writes Raina MacIntyre.

A report from the Wold Health Organization and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows cases jumped by 18 per cent to an estimated 9 million in 2022. 

On Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, Australia can celebrate the developments it's made towards the elimination of cervical cancer by 2035. However, the virus is still a major challenge in many lower and middle-income countries.

Australia is into its next COVID wave. Case numbers and indicators of severe disease began rising in Victoria in August. But a consistent pattern is now emerging across Australia and rising sales of anti-viral medications are offering clues.

The number of COVID-19 cases in the ACT is on the rise but the territory has lifted all restrictions, leaving Canberrans with autoimmune conditions to ensure they avoid the disease on their own.

After a bump, we can expect a bruise. But what if we find ourselves bruising without any noticeable cause? What might be behind it? Should we worry? 

Katy O'Connell's daughter almost died from the Y strain of the deadly meningococcal disease five years ago.

A court in Adelaide has heard a female police officer who allegedly had "clumps of actual hair" pulled out of her scalp by an anti-vaccination political candidate feared her head would be repeatedly smashed into the pavement.

A failed South Australian Senate candidate and anti-vaccine protester standing trial for assaulting a female police officer will argue she was attempting to free herself from an "unlawful" arrest, a court hears.

The risk of developing shingles increases with age. From next month a new vaccine against the virus, tipped to be 90 per cent effective, will be available through the National Immunisation Program for older and immunocompromised Australians. 

Wouldn't it be handy if we could be vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19 with a single shot? Early clinical trials indicate that could be possible in a few years.

The new three shot vaccine is said to be more than 75 per cent effective, while experts say the jab won't stop malaria but could play a part in reducing deaths and severe illness.

Scientists Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman have won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries enabling the development of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

Needle phobia can be a major impediment to injection and vaccination for some — but an initiative at a major children's hospital is being expanded to help more patients get the vital support they need.

Dr Catherine Bennett, one of three people on the independent panel conducting the inquiry, says it's important to reflect on what lessons were learnt from the pandemic.

If it has been six months or longer since you last had a COVID-19 infection or a vaccine dose, you are eligible for a jab. Here's what you need to know before getting one.

An inquiry into government response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been announced, but state and territory local lockdowns and border closures are likely to avoid scrutiny.

A new COVID variant nicknamed "Pirola" has been detected in Australia after sparking a sped-up vaccination program in the United Kingdom.

Thousands of Queensland nurses and health staff will be able to return to work as Queensland Health is expected to scrap its COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

Following it's three-year isolation China will finally lift the last of it's controversial 'zero COVID' measures.

Queenslanders are being warned to be vigilant for fever and rash symptoms in young children as group A streptococcus infections sweep across the state.

After seeing how quickly her son Khye succumbed to the disease, Nicole Hammat wants young people to be more aware of meningococcal and is pleading for the B strain vaccine to be made accessible to more people.