Resources for Journalists

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, that has not been previously identified in humans. See below for a collection of resources to help you cover this issue (Please note: additional resources are available to journalists who are logged in).

The AusSMC also issues a daily COVID-19 update for registered journalists (click here to view an example). If you would like to receive this email, please go to your profile on MyScimex and select yes beside "Receive COVID-19 Updates?". The email update and this resources page are supported by the Google News Initiative.

Latest COVID-19 news, research, expert reactions and briefings

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  1. Volunteers receive first dose in clinical trial of Melbourne-made COVID-19 vaccines

    Publicly released: Thu 12 May 2022 at 1052 AEST, 1252 NZST

    These vaccines focus the immune response on the tip of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, called the receptor binding domain (RBD). ... The RBD enables the virus to enter and infect cells in the body and Read more about Volunteers receive first dose in clinical trial of Melbourne-made COVID-19 vaccines

    Australia; VICThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity ...

  2. Lifting COVID zero lockdowns in China could result in 1.55 million deaths

    Publicly released: Wed 11 May 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    Nature

    China’s dynamic zero-COVID strategy — which aims at cutting off transmission chains and quickly ending outbreaks — has been in place since August 2021 to respond to SARS-CoV-2 variants Read more about Lifting COVID zero lockdowns in China could result in 1.55 million deaths

    InternationalFudan University, China

  3. Fourth dose fares well - for full Pfizer or half a Moderna shot

    Publicly released: Tue 10 May 2022 at 0830 AEST, 1030 NZST

    Lancet Infectious Diseases

    A fourth dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines is well-tolerated and boosts the immune response compared to a third dose, finds a first-of-its-kind trial. ... The authors say peak immune responses after the Read more about Fourth dose fares well - for full Pfizer or half a Moderna shot

    InternationalCOV-BOOST trial: including NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility and Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, University of Southampton, University of Oxford, NIHR Liverpool and Broadgreen Clinical Research Facility, NIHR Cambridge Clinical Research Facility, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK - etc.

  4. Being younger may not protect cancer patients from severe COVID-19

    Publicly released: Tue 10 May 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    JAMA Network Open

    People with cancer are known to have a higher chance of worse COVID-19 illness, but now new research has honed in on how the virus affects certain cancers, treatments and ... ages. In the large review, Read more about Being younger may not protect cancer patients from severe COVID-19

    InternationalUniversity of Liverpool, University College London, ; The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust (UK), University of Copenhagen (Denmark)

  5. COVID-19 stress on multicultural, older groups

    Publicly released: Mon 9 May 2022 at 1500 AEST, 1700 NZST

    Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare

    The article, ‘Risk Perception and Health Precautions Towards COVID-19 Among Older Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Adults in South Australia: A Cross-Sectional Survey’ (2022) by Mohammad Read more about COVID-19 stress on multicultural, older groups

    Australia; NSW; SAFlinders University | The University of Newcastle

  6. Immunity after Omicron much stronger in vaccinated people

    Publicly released: Mon 9 May 2022 at 1500 AEST, 1700 NZST

    Nature

    The combination of an Omicron infection and COVID-19 vaccination provides much stronger protection than the virus alone against variants including Delta and multiple Omicron subvariants, according to Read more about Immunity after Omicron much stronger in vaccinated people

    InternationalAfrica Health Research Institute, South Africa

  7. COVID-19 led to almost 15 million extra deaths during the first 2 years of the pandemic

    Publicly released: Fri 6 May 2022 at 1145 AEST, 1345 NZST

    9 million, according to the World Health Organization. This figure includes deaths directly attributed to COVID-19 and more indirect deaths, due to the pandemic’s impact on health systems and Read more about COVID-19 led to almost 15 million extra deaths during the first 2 years of the pandemic

    InternationalWorld Health Organization (WHO)

  8. First evidence of fossil fruit in Australia uncovers new species

    Publicly released: Fri 6 May 2022 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

    International Journal of Plant Science

    This could be important for understanding of the evolution of fruit size in the genus and the patterns of seed dispersal by the plant. ... As he was unable to travel for the Fellowship due to COVID, he Read more about First evidence of fossil fruit in Australia uncovers new species

    Australia; QLDQueensland Museum

  9. More collaboration between media and scientists wanted during pandemic

    Publicly released: Fri 6 May 2022 at 0945 AEST, 1145 NZST

    Vaccine

    340 Kiwis answered questions about their willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and about the media's portrayal of the vaccine, as part of a wider study on stress and ... The authors point out the Read more about More collaboration between media and scientists wanted during pandemic

    New ZealandUniversity of Auckland

  10. Severe obesity could blunt antibody response to COVID-19 vaccines

    Publicly released: Fri 6 May 2022 at 0801 AEST, 1001 NZST

    European Congress on Obesity (ECO)

    Obesity is a disease complicating the course of COVID-19, and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine antibody response in adults with obesity may be compromised. ... Interestingly, the analyses found that in patients with Read more about Severe obesity could blunt antibody response to COVID-19 vaccines

    InternationalIstanbul University, Turkey

  11. Victorians sought for trial investigating impact of reduced doses of COVID-19 booster shots

    Publicly released: Fri 6 May 2022 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

    The study would also secure additional data on administering ‘mix-and-match’ COVID-19 vaccine schedules. ... maintain COVID-19 immunity in light of the emergence and impact of new variants like Omicron Read more about Victorians sought for trial investigating impact of reduced doses of COVID-19 booster shots

    Australia; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)

  12. More major injuries in NZ during the pandemic - despite the effect of lockdowns

    Publicly released: Fri 6 May 2022 at 0001 AEST, 0201 NZST

    The NZMJ

    Editorial: Trauma, COVID-19 and healthcare investmentSummary Physical injury is significant part of the demand on healthcare delivery in NZ. ... Study: Lockdown Level 4 V2. 0: different trauma patterns in Read more about More major injuries in NZ during the pandemic - despite the effect of lockdowns

    New ZealandAuckland District Health Board, NZ

  13. Vaccine grown in an Aussie plant is shown to be effective at preventing COVID-19

    Publicly released: Thu 5 May 2022 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

    New England Journal of Medicine

    A plant-based COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to be effective at preventing COVID-19. ... The vaccine is made by using a bacteria to insert the genetic code of the virus into plants, which then start Read more about Vaccine grown in an Aussie plant is shown to be effective at preventing COVID-19

    Australia; InternationalMedicago

  14. Higher effectiveness and fewer side effects make us more likely to choose a particular COVID-19 vaccine

    Publicly released: Thu 5 May 2022 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

    PLOS ONE

    The most important factors when choosing which COVID-19 jab to opt for are vaccine effectiveness and a low risk of side effects, but differences between vaccines appear to matter less ... COVID-19 Read more about Higher effectiveness and fewer side effects make us more likely to choose a particular COVID-19 vaccine

    InternationalUniversity of Exeter, UK

  15. 1 in 3 kids in Europe now overweight or obese

    Publicly released: Tue 3 May 2022 at 2000 AEST, 2200 NZST

    The European Congress on Obesity

    Nearly 60 percent of adults and one in three kids in the European region are overweight or obese, and early studies suggest the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a rise in ... Overweight people and those Read more about 1 in 3 kids in Europe now overweight or obese

    InternationalWorld Health Organization (WHO)

  16. Pregnant women who catch COVID-19 may face more risky births

    Publicly released: Tue 3 May 2022 at 0930 AEST, 1130 NZST

    JAMA

    The odds of winding up in hospital for COVID-19 was much higher for pregnant women than for similar-aged women in general - including 5. ... 46 times higher relative risk for ICU admission. The risk of Read more about Pregnant women who catch COVID-19 may face more risky births

    InternationalUniversity of British Columbia, Canada

  17. No breakfast for 1 in 3 Hawke's Bay teens

    Publicly released: Tue 3 May 2022 at 0300 AEST, 0500 NZST

    Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand

    The survey of more than 2,000 students aged either 9 or 13 found 87% aren't eating enough vegetables and 60% aren't getting enough fruit, according to national guidelines. ... The research was carried out Read more about No breakfast for 1 in 3 Hawke's Bay teens

    New ZealandUniversity of Auckland | Liggins Institute | Eastern Institute of Technology

  18. Pathways to severe COVID-19 in children discovered

    Publicly released: Mon 2 May 2022 at 1900 AEST, 2100 NZST

    Nature Communications

    For the study, blood samples from 20 healthy children were collected at The Royal Children’s Hospital and samples from 33 SARS-CoV-2 infected children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome or Read more about Pathways to severe COVID-19 in children discovered

    Australia; International; NSW; VICMurdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) | The University of Melbourne

  19. Feeling COVID-y but your RAT is negative? Try testing again on day 4 of your symptoms

    Publicly released: Sat 30 Apr 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    JAMA Internal Medicine

    People with COVID-19 symptoms who initially test negative on a rapid antigen test (RAT) should test again 1 to 2 days later because RATs are at their most sensitive 4 ... But four days after symptoms Read more about Feeling COVID-y but your RAT is negative? Try testing again on day 4 of your symptoms

    InternationalUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  20. Your flu shot could reduce your risk of serious heart problems

    Publicly released: Sat 30 Apr 2022 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    JAMA Network Open

    Getting the seasonal influenza vaccine could reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events like heart attacks and stroke, according to an international meta-analysis. ... Researchers combined a Read more about Your flu shot could reduce your risk of serious heart problems

    InternationalUniversity of Toronto, Canada

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