Coronavirus
Japan lowers COVID threat to flu level in major policy shift
No more quarantining for those testing positive; vaccine shots still free
COVID vaccines
COVID vaccines
Moderna eyes local COVID vaccines for Japan, other countries
Chief Medical Officer Paul Burton highlights room for region-specific shots
COVID vaccines
China approves first homegrown mRNA vaccine, says drugmaker CSPC
Jabs target omicron variants, with 85.3% efficacy from two weeks after booster
COVID vaccines
Japan weighs recommending annual COVID shots for most
Once-a-year boosters would be given ahead of year-end holidays
COVID vaccines
Japan's 1st plant for mRNA COVID vaccine to be built by Daiichi Sankyo
Drugmaker targets capacity of 20m doses yearly, boosting nation's preparedness
Coronavirus
WHO maintains highest alert over COVID but sees hope ahead
Pandemic is likely at a 'transition point,' World Health Organization says
The Big Story
China crests first infection wave since abandoning zero-COVID
Overloaded hospitals and morgues suggest true death toll is hidden and worst is to come
Coronavirus
Thailand U-turns on COVID vaccination rule for visitors
Global immunization high enough, so no restrictions needed: health minister
COVID vaccines
China's CanSino reports 'positive' data from COVID mRNA booster test
Following the shots, adults had 27 times higher levels of virus-neutralizing antibodies
COVID vaccines
Japan's Daiichi Sankyo to seek OK for omicron booster by April 2024
Shionogi and KM Biologics also eye homegrown shots targeting variants
Economy
China's GDP growth to accelerate to 4.7% in 2023: Nikkei survey
Sudden policy changes, spread of virus cast shadow over 'V-shaped recovery'
Coronavirus
Chinese visitors lured by mRNA vaccines to Macao, Hong Kong
Mainlanders flock to enclave, prepare for Hong Kong border to reopen to get shots
Coronavirus
China battles to keep hospitals open for COVID patients
Medics needed; drugstores told to limit ibuprofen sales to 6 pills per person per week
COVID vaccines
Japan's Takara Bio to build another COVID vaccine factory
Company aims for 73m doses by fiscal 2027 to become dominant producer
International relations
Philippines receives cold trucks from Japan to deliver COVID shots
Logistics equipment to help boost vaccine shipments to islands
Opinion
Japan should reject WTO proposal to weaken COVID patents
Government's pandemic preparation plan depends on commitments from drugmakers
COVID vaccines
Indonesia's COVID vaccine shows region's push for third way
Jakarta now has homegrown halal alternative to Western, Chinese shots
COVID vaccines
Scholz deal lets German expats in China use BioNTech COVID shot
Chancellor, on Beijing trip, wants vaccine available to all Chinese citizens
COVID vaccines
Nasal vaccine for COVID-19 offers hope to emerging nations
No-needle products win approval in India and beyond
COVID vaccines
China builds plants for mRNA vaccines still in development limbo
CanSino, Sinopharm seek Chinese equivalents of Pfizer and Moderna shots
