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. EXPERT REACTION: Suspected H5N1 bird-flu case in Australia

    Publicly released: Fri 19 Jun 2026 at 1637 AEST, 1837 NZST

    The first suspected case of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu has been detected in Australia. ... Agriculture Minister Julie Collins announced that a migratory bird in south-west WA has died, and the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Suspected H5N1 bird-flu case in Australia

    Australia; VIC; QLDAustralian Science Media Centre

  2. EXPERT REACTION: NT diphtheria outbreak spreads to WA, QLD and SA

    Publicly released: Tue 19 May 2026 at 1301 AEST, 1501 NZST

    The outbreak has been reported to have spread beyond the NT border, into Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia. ... The NT has reported 133 cases, including one likely death, along with 79 Read more about EXPERT REACTION: NT diphtheria outbreak spreads to WA, QLD and SA

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SAAustralian Science Media Centre

  3. EXPERT REACTION: Ebola outbreak declared a public health emergency of international concern

    Publicly released: Mon 18 May 2026 at 1133 AEST, 1333 NZST

    The World Health Organization has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda to be a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). ... The WHO says there Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Ebola outbreak declared a public health emergency of international concern

    Australia; International; NSW; QLD; SAAustralian Science Media Centre

  4. EXPERT REACTION: Aussies on hantavirus affected ship due to return today

    Publicly released: Fri 15 May 2026 at 1106 AEST, 1306 NZST

    Five Australians and one New Zealander from the hantavirus-affected cruise ship are expected to land in Perth today. ... The passengers will remain at the Bullsbrook Quarantine Facility. Below, Australian Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Aussies on hantavirus affected ship due to return today

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WAAustralian Science Media Centre

  5. EXPERT REACTION: These coronaviruses enter human cells in a whole new way and could be a threat to health

    Publicly released: Thu 23 Apr 2026 at 0100 AEST, 0300 NZST

    Nature

    Of all the types of coronaviruses, scientists know most about how betacoronaviruses enter cells - a group that includes the virus behind the COVID-19 pandemic. ... Although six such receptors have been Read more about EXPERT REACTION: These coronaviruses enter human cells in a whole new way and could be a threat to health

    Australia; International; NSWPirbright Institute, UK

  6. EXPERT REACTION: mRNA flu vaccine is up to 34.5% more effective than current flu vaccines

    Publicly released: Thu 20 Nov 2025 at 0900 AEDT, 1100 NZDT

    New England Journal of Medicine

    The study included over 18,000 people, half of whom were given the mRNA vaccine and half of whom were given a conventional flu vaccine. ... There were more side effects in the mRNA vaccine group, although Read more about EXPERT REACTION: mRNA flu vaccine is up to 34.5% more effective than current flu vaccines

    Australia; International; QLDEast-West Medical Research Institute, USA, Pfizer, Baylor College of Medicine, USA

  7. EXPERT REACTION: Covid vaccine linked to smaller risk of heart problems in children than Covid infection

    Publicly released: Wed 5 Nov 2025 at 1030 AEDT, 1230 NZDT

    The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health

    In the six months after Covid-19 infection, children have a higher risk of developing rare and serious heart inflammation, but the Covid vaccine does not have the same effect, according ... They say the Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Covid vaccine linked to smaller risk of heart problems in children than Covid infection

    Australia; International; NSW; VIC; QLDBritish Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

  8. EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 vaccine may help people with cancer fight their disease

    Publicly released: Thu 23 Oct 2025 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    Nature

    Patients with advanced lung or skin cancer who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy drugs lived significantly longer than those who did not get the ... 6 months to 37. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 vaccine may help people with cancer fight their disease

    InternationalThe University of TexasMD Anderson Cancer Center, USA

  9. EXPERT REACTION: US vaccine panel meeting to consider safety of COVID-19 and other vaccines

    Publicly released: Thu 18 Sep 2025 at 1030 AEST, 1230 NZST

    The draft agenda shows that they will be discussing the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine on Thursday, and the COVID-19 vaccines on Friday. ... Below, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: US vaccine panel meeting to consider safety of COVID-19 and other vaccines

    Australia; NSW; QLD; WAAustralian Science Media Centre

  10. EXPERT REACTION: An mRNA vaccine for HIV could be effective and affordable

    Publicly released: Thu 31 Jul 2025 at 0400 AEST, 0600 NZST

    Science Translational Medicine

    Scientists have used mRNA technology to engineer new vaccines for HIV, which can produce potent immune responses to the virus in animals and human volunteers in Phase 1 clinical trials, according Read more about EXPERT REACTION: An mRNA vaccine for HIV could be effective and affordable

    InternationalFred Hutchinson Cancer Center, USA

  11. EXPERT REACTION and MEDIA BRIEFING: First babies born in the UK through mitochondrial donation

    Publicly released: Thu 17 Jul 2025 at 0700 AEST, 0900 NZST

    New England Journal of Medicine

    There is no cure for mitochondrial disease and the only treatments available aim to manage the symptoms. ... The mitoHOPE Program would not exist were it not for the advocacy of the mito community and the Read more about EXPERT REACTION and MEDIA BRIEFING: First babies born in the UK through mitochondrial donation

    Australia; International; VICMonash University | Newcastle Fertility Centre, UK, Newcastle University, UK

  12. EXPERT REACTION: Polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea

    Publicly released: Fri 16 May 2025 at 1302 AEST, 1502 NZST

    Papua New Guinea has detected cases of polio which have triggered the activation of a national emergency response to protect children across the country. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea

    Australia; Pacific; QLD; WA; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre

  13. EXPERT REACTION: Shingles vaccine reduces dementia risk by a fifth over seven years

    Publicly released: Thu 3 Apr 2025 at 0200 AEDT, 0400 NZDT

    Nature

    Recent studies have found associations between herpes virus infections and an increased risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, raising the question of whether vaccination might Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Shingles vaccine reduces dementia risk by a fifth over seven years

    Australia; International; NSW; VIC; ACTStanford University, USA

  14. EXPERT REACTION: How will Trump's decisions affect the world?

    Publicly released: Wed 22 Jan 2025 at 1515 AEDT, 1715 NZDT

    US President Donald Trump has signed a number of executive orders in his first days back in office, including leaving the World Health Organization (WHO), withdrawing the US from the Paris Read more about EXPERT REACTION: How will Trump's decisions affect the world?

    Australia; International; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WA; TAS; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre

  15. EXPERT REACTION: Trust in scientists comparatively high in Aotearoa and Australia

    Publicly released: Mon 20 Jan 2025 at 2100 AEDT, 2300 NZDT

    Nature Human Behaviour

    88, placing the country 9th overall and behind Australia placed 5th with a 3. ... This is the largest global study conducted on trust in science since the Covid-19 Pandemic,” says co-author Gina Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Trust in scientists comparatively high in Aotearoa and Australia

    Australia; New Zealand; International; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; ACTMacquarie University | The University of Western Australia ...

  16. EXPERT REACTION: Should we be worried about HMPV?

    Publicly released: Mon 6 Jan 2025 at 1618 AEDT, 1818 NZDT

    Below, Australian experts respond to questions about whether we should be worried about the virus. Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Should we be worried about HMPV?

    Australia; VIC; SA; WA; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre

  17. EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report

    Publicly released: Tue 29 Oct 2024 at 1629 AEDT, 1829 NZDT

    The Federal Government has released the report from the independent inquiry into Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. ... The report identifies 19 immediate actions for the next 12-18 months, Read more about EXPERT REACTION: COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; SA; WAAustralian Science Media Centre

  18. EXPERT REACTION: WHO declares mpox outbreak an international emergency

    Publicly released: Thu 15 Aug 2024 at 1145 AEST, 1345 NZST

    The World Health Organization has declared an upsurge of mpox cases across several African countries a public health emergency of international concern overnight. ... The disease formerly known as Read more about EXPERT REACTION: WHO declares mpox outbreak an international emergency

    Australia; NSW; QLD; SA; WA; ACTAustralian Science Media Centre

  19. EXPERT REACTION: NZ academic harassed during the pandemic wins in court

    Publicly released: Tue 9 Jul 2024 at 1145 AEST, 1345 NZST

    contractual obligations to protect Associate Professor Wiles’s health and safety in the wake of harassment she experienced for speaking publicly about the COVID-19 pandemic. ... Both the University of Read more about EXPERT REACTION: NZ academic harassed during the pandemic wins in court

    Australia; New Zealand; NSW; SAAustralian Science Media Centre

  20. EXPERT REACTION: Vapes to be available in Aussie pharmacies after vaping ban changes

    Publicly released: Mon 24 Jun 2024 at 1825 AEST, 2025 NZST

    Vapes are set to become available over the counter in pharmacies after the government agreed to amend its vaping legislation to secure the support of the Greens, according to reports. ... Under the new Read more about EXPERT REACTION: Vapes to be available in Aussie pharmacies after vaping ban changes

    Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD; WAAustralian Science Media Centre | Australian Government - Dept of Health and Aged Care

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