Key posts
- Booster shots for children aged 12 to 15 considered by ATAGI
- Dozens killed as Russia edges closer to Kyiv
- This morning’s headlines at a glance
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Booster shots for children aged 12 to 15 considered by ATAGI
The expert body that advises the federal government on vaccines is considering whether to recommend COVID-19 booster shots for children aged 12 to 15.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is due to meet today to discuss the next steps for the nation’s coronavirus vaccination program.
Dylan Nguyen Ton, 14, received his first Moderna shot last year. ATAGI is examining evidence from around the world on boosters for 12- to 15-year-olds.Credit:Kate Geraghty
At the meeting, ATAGI will discuss lowering the age for boosters – currently available for people aged 16 and over – according to a government source with knowledge of the process, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
ATAGI will also discuss fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccine for older and immunocompromised people and is expected to make a recommendation on this later in the week.
Read the full story here.
Dozens killed as Russia edges closer to Kyiv
Russia has stepped up its bombardment of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, smashing apartments and a subway station.
With the number of people driven from the country by the war eclipsing 3 million, large explosions thundered across Kyiv before dawn on Tuesday (European time) from what Ukrainian authorities said were artillery strikes. Russia’s assault on the capital appears to be more systematic than before and edging closer to the city centre.
A firefighter walks outside a destroyed apartment building in Kyiv on Tuesday (Ukrainian time). Credit:AP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said barrages hit four multi-storey buildings in the city and killed dozens of people. The shelling ignited a huge fire in a 15-story apartment building and spurred a frantic rescue effort.
The strikes, carried out of the 20th day of Russia’s invasion, targeted a western district of Kyiv. Russian forces are believed to be about 15 kilometres from the city centre.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has announced a 35-hour curfew extending through Thursday morning (Ukrainian time).
AP
This morning’s headlines at a glance
Good morning and thanks for reading our live coverage.
It’s Wednesday, March 16. I’m Broede Carmody and I’ll bring you some of the day’s biggest stories as they unfold.
Here’s what you need to know before we get started.
- Australia has backed the United States when it comes to warning China against supplying military equipment to Russia. Western nations could slap China with economic sanctions if it supports its ally in its invasion of Ukraine. China has described reports that Russia asked it for military equipment as “malicious” disinformation. Meanwhile, the UN estimates more than 3 million Ukrainians have now fled their country, with about half of those refugees children. And a Fox News cameraman has been killed near Kyiv and the journalist he was travelling with injured.
A residential building in Kyiv which was hit by a rocket. Credit:Getty
- Prime Minister Scott Morrison continues his tour of Western Australia today. He is expected to unveil a package for the minerals and electric vehicles sector. It comes as business leaders warn Treasurer Josh Frydenberg against a heavy-spending budget, arguing it could add to inflation pressures. The federal budget will be handed down on March 29 (with an election due to be held by the end of May).
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is touring Western Australia. Credit:Rhett Wyman
- A man’s body was recovered from Broken Hill (in NSW’s far west) late last night after he was swept away in recent floodwaters. More than 20 people have died after major flooding hit south-east Queensland, northern NSW and parts of Sydney. The clean-up across NSW and Qld continues.
The aftermath of flooding in Lismore, NSW. Credit:Elise Derwin
- And the expert body that advises the federal government on vaccines is currently considering whether to recommend COVID-19 booster shots for children aged 12 to 15. Australia recorded 33,592 official coronavirus cases yesterday. There are 1788 people hospitalised with the virus and 105 in intensive care.
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