Resources for Journalists

Pfizer's COVID-19 pill Paxlovid reduces risk of severe disease

Publicly released: Thu 17 Feb 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

Pfizer's Paxlovid pill reduces the risk of symptomatic COVID-19 progressing to severe disease by 89 per cent, according to the company's phase 2-3 trial. ... Comparing the rates of severe COVID-19 in the Read more about Pfizer's COVID-19 pill Paxlovid reduces risk of severe disease

If you've had COVID-19, the Pfizer vaccine substantially lowers your re-infection risk

Publicly released: Thu 17 Feb 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

Catching COVID-19 a second time is substantially less likely for those who received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine after their first infection, according to an Israeli study. ... The team looked at Read more about If you've had COVID-19, the Pfizer vaccine substantially lowers your re-infection risk

Can an online class teach you to be happy?

Publicly released: Thu 17 Feb 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

An online psychology course taken for credit at a UK university may have helped its students navigate the stress and anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to international researchers. Read more about Can an online class teach you to be happy?

Lockdowns may not have been as bad for mental health as we thought

Publicly released: Thu 17 Feb 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

COVID-19 death rates and fear related to the pandemic may have been a more important driver of poor mental health in the UK during the pandemic than lockdowns, according to ... the virus as a result of a Read more about Lockdowns may not have been as bad for mental health as we thought

The world is failing to tackle depression

Publicly released: Wed 16 Feb 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The Lancet

The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional challenges, with social isolation, bereavement, uncertainty, hardship, and limited access to healthcare taking a serious toll on the mental health of Read more about The world is failing to tackle depression

Antiviral drug protects hamsters against COVID-19

Publicly released: Wed 16 Feb 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature Communications

The SARS-CoV-2 main protease, an enzyme that aids virus replication, has been identified as a promising anti-viral target. ... As a proof-of-concept, the authors first conducted experiments in mammalian Read more about Antiviral drug protects hamsters against COVID-19

EXPERT REACTION: Booster effectiveness waning after 4 months, says CDC

Publicly released: Tue 15 Feb 2022 at 1345 AEDT, 1545 NZDT

The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has released a report outlining how our immunity can wane after receiving a booster jab against COVID-19. ... They say that during the Omicron-predominant period, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Booster effectiveness waning after 4 months, says CDC

IPCC begins process to approve report on impacts of climate change

Publicly released: Tue 15 Feb 2022 at 1100 AEDT, 1300 NZDT

The session begins on 14 February and the final report is expected on 28 February. ... Due to the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the meetings are being held remotely. Read more about IPCC begins process to approve report on impacts of climate change

Lower oestrogen levels may be linked to more severe COVID-19

Publicly released: Tue 15 Feb 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

BMJ Open

They drew on national data from the Swedish Public Health Agency (all those testing positive for SARS-CoV-2); Statistics Sweden (socioeconomic factors); and the National Board of Health and Welfare Read more about Lower oestrogen levels may be linked to more severe COVID-19

Border closures creating potential long-term mental health crisis

Publicly released: Tue 15 Feb 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

Globalization and Health

Australia’s extended international COVID-19 border closures have led to high levels of psychological distress across the community, with experts suggesting future pandemic policy settings consider Read more about Border closures creating potential long-term mental health crisis

Long COVID could be linked to the vagus nerve

Publicly released: Sat 12 Feb 2022 at 1001 AEDT, 1201 NZDT

European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases

Pilot study suggests long COVID could be linked to the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the vagus nerveNew research to be presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical ... The authors propose that Read more about Long COVID could be linked to the vagus nerve

Catching COVID-19 may protect against a 2nd infection for 6 months

Publicly released: Fri 11 Feb 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

PLOS Biology

In 2020 and early 2021, people who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 had around 72 per cent to 86 per cent protection against reinfection with the virus for at ... Identifying the extent and duration of Read more about Catching COVID-19 may protect against a 2nd infection for 6 months

Antibodies from Covid infection may out-perform those from vaccines after 6 months

Publicly released: Fri 11 Feb 2022 at 1001 AEDT, 1201 NZDT

European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases

although over time the number of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies falls in both previously infected and vaccinated patients, the performance of antibodies improves only after previous infection (and not Read more about Antibodies from Covid infection may out-perform those from vaccines after 6 months

Finding COVID-19 variants that could escape our immune response

Publicly released: Fri 11 Feb 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS Computational Biology

Researchers have found mutations in the virus that causes COVID-19 that could help it escape the immune system in specific groups of people, according to international research. ... Researchers identify Read more about Finding COVID-19 variants that could escape our immune response

Pfizer COVID-19 jabs during pregnancy don't affect bubs

Publicly released: Fri 11 Feb 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

JAMA Pediatrics

An Israeli study of 24,288 newborn babies, 16,697 of whom were exposed to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine while in the womb, found the vaccine had no effect on ... Vaccination During Pregnancy With Infant Read more about Pfizer COVID-19 jabs during pregnancy don't affect bubs

Taking a hard line on crime

Publicly released: Thu 10 Feb 2022 at 1517 AEDT, 1717 NZDT

Psychology, Crime and Law

For example, studies have found the public is often indifferent about police brutality toward criminal offenders, or the threat of COVID-19 spreading in prisons. ... When we see others in pain, sympathy Read more about Taking a hard line on crime

COVID alerts encourage social engagement – and choice

Publicly released: Thu 10 Feb 2022 at 1400 AEDT, 1600 NZDT

Journal of Sociology

The use of COVID-19 health warnings and regulation in posters and public signage has effectively turned much of the responsibility and policing of compliance back on individuals, say sociology Read more about COVID alerts encourage social engagement – and choice

EXPERT REACTION: TGA provisionally approves AstraZeneca boosters for ages 18+

Publicly released: Thu 10 Feb 2022 at 1230 AEDT, 1430 NZDT

The TGA has provisionally approved the AstraZeneca COVID-19 booster vaccine for Australians aged 18 years and older. ... What do we know about AstraZeneca's effectiveness as a booster, and in what Read more about EXPERT REACTION: TGA provisionally approves AstraZeneca boosters for ages 18+

Almost 1 in 3 older adults develop new conditions after COVID-19 infection

Publicly released: Thu 10 Feb 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

These findings further highlight the wide range of important sequelae after acute infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” they write. ... Understanding the magnitude of risk for the most important Read more about Almost 1 in 3 older adults develop new conditions after COVID-19 infection

Problematic levels of loneliness widespread in many countries

Publicly released: Thu 10 Feb 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

the COVID-19 pandemic. ... We anticipate that COVID-19 and associated public health restrictions increased isolation for many people across the globe so this review will provide important baseline data Read more about Problematic levels of loneliness widespread in many countries