The Australian Science Media Centre works to enhance the media’s coverage of science, for the benefit of the public. We provide the evidence and experts when science hits the headlines.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, SPIKEVAX, for use in individuals aged 6 years and older. As for other age groups, the use of this vaccine in children aged 6-11 years should be administered as 2 doses at least 28 days apart, though a lower dose will be given. Below, Aussie researchers comment on the announcement.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia 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 circumstances will this booster be most useful? Australian experts comment below.
Omicron has had a huge impact on the world in a matter of weeks – but while we are still grappling with this variant – should we be planning for the next variant (or the one after that)? Below Australian experts comment on the potential for new variants of concern and how the world should prepare.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine NUVAXOID. Subject to approval from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the vaccine will be used as a primary vaccine for those 18 and older, but not yet as a booster or a vaccine for children
In an ultrasecure lab at the Kirby Institute at the University of New South Wales, a team of researchers has been working to understand the Omicron variant and have released their first data on how effective vaccines are likely to be against the Omicron variant. In the lab, the researchers used three different methods to test how the variant stacks up against immunity from vaccination and natural infection, to give them the greatest confidence yet in the data. Come to this online briefing to hear from the Australian experts working on the front line with Omicron samples of the virus. Here experts comment on the new data.
Pfizer has reported that results from preliminary studies suggest two doses of the Pfizer vaccine have a significantly reduced ability to neutralise the Omicron variant, and that three doses may be needed. A small study from South Africa, which is not yet peer reviewed, has also suggested that antibody neutralisation is reduced by around 40-fold against Omicron compared to the original Wuhan virus. A third early study, which is also yet to be peer reviewed, has also shown a significant drop in the ability of vaccine generated antibodies to neutralise the virus.
With Christmas just around the corner the new Omicron variant has arrived to throw a COVID shaped spanner in the works. Below Australian experts try to answer your burning questions about this new variant and what it means for our current vaccines
Two doses of the Pfizer vaccine has been found to be safe, immunogenic, and efficacious in a trial of 1500 children aged 5 -11 years of age in a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved booster shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, to be administered six months after the second dose of any COVID-19 vaccine. The Federal Government has announced boosters will be available from Nov 8th.
Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recommended a booster shot be given to people who are severely immunocompromised. ATAGI says an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) is preferred over the AstraZeneca vaccine for this 3rd dose. They recommend the 3rd dose be given 2 to 6 months after the 2nd dose of vaccine. People who have had a second dose more than 6 months ago should receive a 3rd dose whenever feasible.
The Australian government has announced it has bought 300,000 doses of Merck COVID-19 treatment drug molnupiravir, although it has not yet been approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Merck has released data from an interim analysis of an ongoing phase-3 trial of molnupiravir in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Below an Australian expert explains what we know about the drug and what it means for vaccines.
مع ازدياد انتشار متحوّر دلتا في جميع أنحاء العالم، أفادت تقارير دولية وأسترالية بوجود أشخاص يصابون بكوفيد-19 على الرغم من تلقيهم اللقاح الكامل. وقد أثار موضوع ما يُطلق عليه "عدوى الملقحين" تساؤلات حول مدى فعالية اللقاحات. تكشف البيانات من عدة دول تتمتع بارتفاع معدلات اللقاح عن أنه ترد الآن حالات إصابات بكوفيد-19 بين الملقحين أكثر من بين غير الملقحين، لكن هل يعني هذا أن اللقاحات غير فعالة؟ فيما يلي تعليق الخبراء الأستراليين.
A medida que la variante Delta se convierte en la dominante a nivel mundial, hay informes tanto australianos como internacionales donde se reporta que incluso las personas con el esquema de vacunación completo siguen infectándose con COVID-19. Las llamadas "infecciones en vacunados" han hecho surgir dudas sobre la efectividad de las vacunas. Según datos de diferentes países con altas tasas de vacunación, se observan mas casos de COVID-19 de forma semanal entre personas vacunadas que entre aquellas que no lo están - ¿esto significa que las vacunas no están funcionando? A continuación responden expertos australianos.
जैसे-जैसे डेल्टा का रूपांतर दुनिया भर में प्रभावी हो रहा है, वैसे-वैसे टीकाकरण पूरा हुए लोगों की कोविड-19 से संक्रमित होने की अंतर्राष्ट्रीय और ऑस्ट्रेलियाई रिपोर्टें मिल रही है। इन तथाकथित 'टीकों को तोड़ने वाले संक्रमणों" ने टीकों की प्रभावशीलता पर सवाल खड़े कर दिए हैं। जिन देशों में टीकाकरण की दर ज्यादा है वहां से मिल रहा डेटा भी बता रहा है कि कोविड-19 के साप्ताहिक मामले टीकाकरण वाले लोगों में अन्य लोगों के मुकाबले अधिक हैं - क्या इसका मतलब यह है कि टीके काम नहीं कर रहे हैं? नीचे ऑस्ट्रेलियाई विशेषज्ञ प्रतिक्रिया दे रहे हैं।
Habang lumalala ang Delta variant sa buong mundo, may mga ulat mula sa Australya at pati na rin mga ulat na pandaigdig tungkol sa mga taong ganap na bakunado na nagkakaimpeksyon pa rin ng COVID-19. Ang tinaguriang “pagkakahawa pagkatapos magpabakuna” o “breakthrough infection” sa Ingles ay naging sanhi ng mga tanong tungkol sa pagiging epektibo ng mga bakuna. Ipinapakita ngayon ng mga datos mula sa ilang mga bansang matataas ang antas ng pagbabakuna na mas marami ang lingguhang kaso ng COVID-19 sa mga taong bakunado kaysa sa mga hindi pa nababakunahan - ang ibig bang sabihin nito ay hindi gumagana ang mga bakuna? Sumagot ang mga eksperto sa Australya sa ibaba.
The mainstream media is the most important source of information on science and technology for the Australian public, and yet the relationship between scientists and the media is often fraught and difficult. The AusSMC exists to support both scientists and journalists to ensure that the public has access to the best scientific evidence and expertise.
The idea to set up an Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) came from the Adelaide Thinkers in Residence program. The AusSMC is based on the successful UK Science Media Centre that was established in London in 2002.
The AusSMC was established as an independent, not-for-profit organisation in late 2005. The Centre is housed in the old Adelaide Stock Exchange building, refurbished and renamed the Science Exchange. The AusSMC is now one of six international SMCs (UK, Australia, NZ, Canada, Germany and the US).
In response to a demand from journalists, the AusSMC launched a breaking science news portal, Scimex (Science Media Exchange) in 2015 to provide the media with access to scientific expertise, independent expert reaction, multimedia and research stories from Australia and NZ. Scimex is now used by 1,600 journalists and distributes more than 3,000 stories each year.
Journalists anywhere in the world wishing to sign up to receive our briefing alerts, Expert Reactions and twice-weekly "SMC Picks" alert on upcoming research (including embargoed papers) can sign up here.
The mainstream media is the most important source of information on science and technology for the Australian public, and yet the relationship between scientists and the media is often fraught and difficult. The AusSMC exists to support both scientists and journalists to ensure that the public has access to the best scientific evidence and expertise.
The idea to set up an Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) came from the Adelaide Thinkers in Residence program. The AusSMC is based on the successful UK Science Media Centre that was established in London in 2002.
The AusSMC was established as an independent, not-for-profit organisation in late 2005. The Centre is housed in the old Adelaide Stock Exchange building, refurbished and renamed the Science Exchange. The AusSMC is now one of six international SMCs (UK, Australia, NZ, Canada, Germany and the US).
In response to a demand from journalists, the AusSMC launched a breaking science news portal, Scimex (Science Media Exchange) in 2015 to provide the media with access to scientific expertise, independent expert reaction, multimedia and research stories from Australia and NZ. Scimex is now used by 1,600 journalists and distributes more than 3,000 stories each year.
Journalists anywhere in the world wishing to sign up to receive our briefing alerts, Expert Reactions and twice-weekly "SMC Picks" alert on upcoming research (including embargoed papers) can sign up here.
