CEO Albert Bourla has said pharmaceutical giant could be ready to file for regulatory approval of tweaked dose by March

Advisory panel recommends second booster when five months have passed since third shot or recovery; move pending approval by Health Ministry chief

Virus cases have passed half a million and are about to peak, but all indications are that the number of seriously ill patients is small enough to avoid health system crisis

Despite optimism, UN health agency's chief warns conditions are still ideal for deadlier variants to emerge; urges countries to ensure equitable access to vaccines and treatment

Eran Segal warns of tough days ahead, as new serious rise even when total infections fall; minister, deputy minister test positive

Regional director cautions that despite hopes variant will make COVID-19 a more manageable endemic illness, pathogen can still mutate

Epidemiologist estimates serious infections to reach 1,000 but new cases will start to decline this week; schools may face teacher shortage due to quarantine rule change

Albert Bourla says US-based pharma firm is aiming to produce annual shot to cover all COVID variants; accuses anti-vaxxers of causing millions of deaths by spreading misinformation

Research finds third dose at least 90% effective at preventing hospitalizations for COVID-19, during both the Delta and Omicron waves

Main upsurge recorded in Asia as Omicron infections fall in countries where the coronavirus variant first appeared