Resources for Journalists

Was mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for aged care workers a successful policy?

Publicly released: Mon 21 Nov 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

Medical Journal of Australia

agreed with mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for “frontline workers in aged care and other vulnerable settings”, with agreement slightly higher among older respondents. ... clinics were offered so Read more about Was mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for aged care workers a successful policy?

4-in-5 Aussie COVID-19 deaths have happened in the Omicron era

Publicly released: Fri 18 Nov 2022 at 1145 AEDT, 1345 NZDT

New analysis of COVID-19 mortality rates releasedNew insights into the four waves of the COVID-19 pandemic are now available in the Provisional Mortality Statistics report, released today by the Read more about 4-in-5 Aussie COVID-19 deaths have happened in the Omicron era

BRIEFING ALERT: Australia's 4th COVID-19 wave is swelling just in time for summer - Ask the experts

Publicly released: Fri 18 Nov 2022 at 1000 AEDT, 1200 NZDT

wave? The briefing will bring together experts to answer your questions about the current situation and what we can expect in the coming weeks With COVID-19 case numbers rising across ... the country, a Read more about BRIEFING ALERT: Australia's 4th COVID-19 wave is swelling just in time for summer - Ask the experts

COVID-19 drugs show mixed results in real world settings

Publicly released: Fri 18 Nov 2022 at 0930 AEDT, 1130 NZDT

The BMJ

for common heart drugsTwo studies published by The BMJ today provide up to date evidence on the effectiveness of both currently licensed and possible covid-19 treatments under everyday (‘real Read more about COVID-19 drugs show mixed results in real world settings

EXPERT REACTION: Post-vax minor menstrual changes quickly resolve

Publicly released: Fri 18 Nov 2022 at 0706 AEDT, 0906 NZDT

Science

Altered menstrual periods have been reported following a COVID-19 vaccine shot. ... A UK reproductive immunologist canvassed this topic, writing that available evidence suggests COVID vaccination is Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Post-vax minor menstrual changes quickly resolve

Vaccine safety messages during the pandemic may have helped with vax hesitancy in PNG

Publicly released: Fri 18 Nov 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Vaccine safety messages during the COVID-19 pandemic may have helped with vaccine hesitancy in Papua New Guinea, where vaccination rates are relatively low, according to Aussie research. ... The team Read more about Vaccine safety messages during the pandemic may have helped with vax hesitancy in PNG

What was the pandemic like for Aussie kids in foster care and their carers?

Publicly released: Fri 18 Nov 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Australian Journal of Social Issues

The COVID-19 pandemic was tough on children, including children living in foster care according to Australian researchers. ... They say many carers also saw a negative impact on their wellbeing as well as Read more about What was the pandemic like for Aussie kids in foster care and their carers?

14 million people were hit with climate disasters in the South-West Pacific last year

Publicly released: Thu 17 Nov 2022 at 1800 AEDT, 2000 NZDT

COP27 has a heavy emphasis on adaption financing and implementation of the Paris Agreement targets of limiting global temperature increase to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels Read more about 14 million people were hit with climate disasters in the South-West Pacific last year

Sweet spot suggested for COVID-safer indoor humidity

Publicly released: Wed 16 Nov 2022 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

Journal of the Royal Society Interface

The spread and severity of COVID-19 has been distinctly non-uniform. Seasonality was suggested as a contributor to regional variability, but the relationship between weather and COVID-19 remains Read more about Sweet spot suggested for COVID-safer indoor humidity

New nasal vaccine strategy could improve COVID-19 protection

Publicly released: Wed 16 Nov 2022 at 1000 AEDT, 1200 NZDT

Nature Communications

Researchers from the Centenary Institute and the University of Sydney have developed a new nasal vaccination strategy that induces potent lung immunity and protection against the SARS-CoV-2 Read more about New nasal vaccine strategy could improve COVID-19 protection

Not even Antarctic explorers were spared the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic

Publicly released: Tue 15 Nov 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

Although they were generally portrayed as some of the people most protected from catching COVID-19, and most prepared for the difficulties of long isolation and lockdowns, not even Antarctic Read more about Not even Antarctic explorers were spared the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 mRNA vaccine that can be stored at fridge temperature appears safe and effective

Publicly released: Tue 15 Nov 2022 at 0300 AEDT, 0500 NZDT

Nature Microbiology

A COVID-19 mRNA vaccine developed by international and Australian researchers that could be more easily distributed in areas with logistical challenges appears safe and effective in its phase 1 trial. Read more about COVID-19 mRNA vaccine that can be stored at fridge temperature appears safe and effective

COVID-19 border closures and community disconnect

Publicly released: Fri 11 Nov 2022 at 1215 AEDT, 1415 NZDT

Health & Place

Throughout the majority of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the public health measures imposed, such as stay-at-home orders and international borders closures, affected our experiences of our lived Read more about COVID-19 border closures and community disconnect

NEWS BRIEFING: Fossil fuel emissions now above pre-pandemic levels - Annual Global Carbon Budget

Publicly released: Fri 11 Nov 2022 at 1100 AEDT, 1300 NZDT

Earth System Science Data

Below, more Australian experts comment. Some of the key findings from the GCP report include:After a slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, global carbon emissions for 2022 are projected to Read more about NEWS BRIEFING: Fossil fuel emissions now above pre-pandemic levels - Annual Global Carbon Budget

After COVID-19, those of all ages are all being diagnosed with more new health conditions

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

PLOS Medicine

Using healthcare data, the team matched over 150,000 people who had COVID-19 with someone of a similar health profile who hadn't had COVID-19, and compared how they ... The results of the present study Read more about After COVID-19, those of all ages are all being diagnosed with more new health conditions

Two thirds of the world likely had COVID-19 antibodies in their system by late 2021

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

PLOS Medicine

In order to ascertain the true rates of infection and indicators of immunity in the population against SARS-CoV-2 over time, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of ... 2% in Read more about Two thirds of the world likely had COVID-19 antibodies in their system by late 2021

COVID lockdowns saw death rates drop in Australia, Assistant Minister's research shows

Publicly released: Fri 11 Nov 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

BMJ Global Health

4 deaths per 100,000 people in 2015-2019, according to Australian research - conducted by MP Andrew Leigh the current Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury. ... The study also used Read more about COVID lockdowns saw death rates drop in Australia, Assistant Minister's research shows

Racism affects 40% of Asian New Zealanders

Publicly released: Fri 11 Nov 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

New Zealand Medical Journal

In Aotearoa and globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted racism in our society, including targeted anti-Asian hatred. ... Our study describes experiences of racism for Asian people in Aotearoa and Read more about Racism affects 40% of Asian New Zealanders

EXPERT REACTION: 4th COVID-19 wave

Publicly released: Thu 10 Nov 2022 at 1434 AEDT, 1634 NZDT

With COVID-19 infection rates back on the rise, Australia appears to be at the start of its fourth wave. ... Below, Australian experts discuss what's happening in the country, and whether we are in for a Read more about EXPERT REACTION: 4th COVID-19 wave

Masks in schools reduced COVID-19 transmission in the US

Publicly released: Thu 10 Nov 2022 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

Schools in the US that removed the requirement to wear masks saw higher COVID-19 transmission than schools that didn't, according to international researchers. ... The state of Massachusetts dropped a Read more about Masks in schools reduced COVID-19 transmission in the US