Chinese pharmaceutical stocks gain traction again, as health authorities said new vaccines targeting coronavirus variants are in the pipeline to tackle Covid-19 outbreaks.

Journal report says researchers’ access was cut off in response to criticism, which Global Initiative for Sharing All Influenza Data has denied.

Baidu-led researchers say their method takes just minutes to find optimal mRNA sequence for more effective and stable Covid-19 jabs, and it can also be used to develop cancer medicine and monoclonal antibodies.

Only 28 per cent of children aged five to 11 have ‘minimum protection’ against the disease, according to the city state’s Health Ministry, as weekly Covid case numbers top 27,000.

Medical authorities say case numbers are likely to rise further, but risk of severe infections remains low.

Respiratory expert says extended use of face coverings does not encourage development of natural resistance to disease, particularly in children.

While the next wave is predicted to be far less severe, experts are calling for more home-grown mRNA vaccines and antivirals to be approved.

Disease control authorities say a woman in Chongqing tested positive for a virus that had features of two Omicron strains.

A national health body says the cost per dose was about the same for the main jabs used around the country.

Scientists from Shanghai Jiao Tong University school of medicine cast doubt on effectiveness of booster shots after comparing serum samples from 135 patients infected with the BA2 strain of the Omicron variant.

In video address to CELAC Summit, China’s president says world ‘is in a new period of turbulence and transformation’ and challenges need solidarity and closer cooperation.

Experimental jab is similar to more effective foreign vaccines and is designed to target the Omicron variant.

The city of Ruili is slowly creaking back to life as China ditches its zero-tolerance Covid strategy after years of strict lockdowns and other gruelling restrictions.

No delays over foreign vaccine imports other than for commercial reasons and country’s zero-Covid policy reversal well planned, says Qian Jin.

Long queues of mainland Chinese nationals looking to receive the mRNA vaccine have been seen outside Hong Kong clinics following a re-opening of the border.

Liang Wannian acknowledges elderly population was harmed but says immunity would have been weaker before or after the December opening.

Vaccines in our country are safe and effective, NHC spokesman tells diplomats from 130 countries gathered in Beijing.

Readers discuss the successes and gaps in Chinese pandemic policy, and the prospect of mainland music fans rushing to Hong Kong.

CanSino Biologics’ CS-2034 booster vaccine targets new Omicron variants driving a Covid-19 wave across China following the lifting of most pandemic curbs.

China has yet to respond, said European Commission; it did not say how many jabs it was offering.

‘We want to see a more realistic picture of what is actually going on’; some data ‘not very credible’.

Some health experts believe a more severe variant is unlikely to appear, but say it’s critical to closely monitor the situation.

Limited supply and steep price of the two approved antivirals are driving many Chinese to opt for cheaper but illegal imports from India.

City leader John Lee pledges that travel will return in safe, gradual manner.

Public scepticism over China’s official virus death toll; high-profile deaths include renowned designer, former footballer and opera singer.

As Beijing abandons zero-Covid, foreign jabs and antiviral medicine are key to limiting deaths, according to epidemiologists.