On Tuesday, Australia reported at least 53 COVID-19 deaths, including 28 in Victoria and seven in New South Wales. Also, Western Australia reported six historical deaths.
NSW and Queensland reported 1,499 and 491 people with COVID-19 in hospitals, their highest number of hospitalisations in the past four weeks.
Check the latest COVID-19 trends for new cases, hospitalisations and deaths in Australia .
Moderna is expected to start trials of a combined vaccine for flu and COVID-19 later this year.
The drug major can manufacture this single vaccine at its Victorian site. Australians can access the vaccine by 2024.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide are starting human trials for a new needle-free COVID-19 vaccine booster this week. The DNA-based vaccine is designed to target the Omicron variant. The current vaccines approved for use in Australia target the original strain of the virus.
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is reviewing a proposal from Moderna for allowing the use of COVID-19 vaccines in children aged five and under. However, the TGA could take weeks before making a decision.
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has recently approved COVID-19 vaccines for children under five.
The Labor government is expected to announce a Royal Commission or other inquiry into Australia's handling of the COVID-19 crisis after winter.
South Australia could soon lift a triple-vaccine mandate for allied health services, including professionals such as podiatrists, chiropractors, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
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