The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to require new clinical trials for approval of annual COVID-19 boosters for healthy Americans under 65, effectively limiting their availability later this year to older adults and those at risk of developing severe illness,

The United States, traditionally the top donor to the UN health agency, was not part of the final stages of pandemic agreement process after the Trump administration announced a pullout from the WHO.

Data shows around 300 deaths a week in mid-April as the FDA rolls out more-stringent vaccine approval rules.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. outlines reasons for U.S. withdrawal from WHO, highlighting failures in COVID-19 response and China's influence on the organization.

India has remained largely unaffected by the recent surge in Covid cases, with the government maintaining that the situation is under control.

As COVID-19 cases rise in Southeast Asia, India is also experiencing a slight increase in infections, with current active cases at 257. Health officials report that most infections are mild and hospitalisations are not needed.

Late-stage trial data suggest that a new COVID-flu vaccine offers good protection against both infections, but experts expect the shot's approval may be delayed.