Resources for Journalists

Outdoor injuries on the rise as Aussies head into summer

Publicly released: Fri 25 Nov 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

It found that overall there were around 1,600 injury-related hospitalisations every day, a 7% increase from 1,500 a day in 2018–19 prior to COVID. ... This is likely due to increases in outdoor activity Read more about Outdoor injuries on the rise as Aussies head into summer

Moderna's Omicron specific booster may help protect us against emerging COVID variants

Publicly released: Thu 24 Nov 2022 at 1308 AEDT, 1508 NZDT

New England Journal of Medicine

The Moderna bivalent vaccine, which contains both omicron specific and original vaccine mRNA, was able to generate a potent antibody response against the BA. ... The authors say this suggests these Read more about Moderna's Omicron specific booster may help protect us against emerging COVID variants

Grandchildren and volunteer work could combat loneliness in over 50s

Publicly released: Thu 24 Nov 2022 at 1101 AEDT, 1301 NZDT

Aging and Mental Health

The paper highlights that all of the studies included in this review were conducted in higher income countries and before the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to an increase in the ... pandemics, lockdowns, Read more about Grandchildren and volunteer work could combat loneliness in over 50s

COVID hospitalisation may be cut by a quarter with community testing

Publicly released: Thu 24 Nov 2022 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

The BMJ

Transmission of the covid-19 virus by people without symptoms has been a major challenge in controlling the pandemic. ... These latest findings show that large scale voluntary community testing for Read more about COVID hospitalisation may be cut by a quarter with community testing

The stigma is real for people living with long COVID

Publicly released: Thu 24 Nov 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS ONE

The study also looked at the types of stigma people experience and found that around 63% had overt experiences of being treated unfairly due to long COVID, while 86% reported feelings ... The authors say Read more about The stigma is real for people living with long COVID

If you've had COVID-19 a vaccine can still help stop you getting it again

Publicly released: Wed 23 Nov 2022 at 0600 AEDT, 0800 NZDT

PLOS Medicine

COVID-19 vaccine gives substantial protection against reinfection Protection was greatest during the Delta wave, but decreased against the Omicron variant Individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV Read more about If you've had COVID-19 a vaccine can still help stop you getting it again

Rapid growth in government health spending during the pandemic

Publicly released: Wed 23 Nov 2022 at 0001 AEDT, 0201 NZDT

9 billion during 2020–21 – the second year (first full year) of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, according to a new report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare ... 7 billion by state Read more about Rapid growth in government health spending during the pandemic

News about vaccine-related deaths caused more people to report side-effects

Publicly released: Mon 21 Nov 2022 at 1437 AEDT, 1637 NZDT

Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Local media reporting on vaccine-related deaths may have convinced many New Zealanders that they were experiencing side-effects from the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. ... rate increased by up to 190% following Read more about News about vaccine-related deaths caused more people to report side-effects

Can GPs help lift flagging COVID-19 vaccination rates in kids?

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

Medical Journal of Australia

General practice is the ideal setting to promote childhood COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake in Australia,” they wrote. ... when relevant) to support tailored but consistent messaging about the Read more about Can GPs help lift flagging COVID-19 vaccination rates in kids?

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