The severity of the current outbreak of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, and the economic and personal damage it has caused, has led governments to reconsider vaccinating poultry.

About 65% of Japan's population have received at least one Covid vaccine booster shot, compared to about 33% in the US, based on government data.

Many areas have doled out incentives for vaccinations like shopping coupons, free groceries and even cash, some of which target the elderly.

Australia battled record cases and hospitalisation rates during the initial Omicron wave, but they have steadied over the past six weeks.

The global financial hub has reported more than 600,000 Covid-19 infections and more than 3,100 deaths - most of them in the past two weeks.

The UK government announced on Jan 31 that it intended to revoke the regulations that made vaccination compulsory, subject to the results of a public consultation.

The decision underscores challenges many developing countries face in their slow inoculation campaigns, as vaccines donated by wealthy countries arrive with a relatively short shelf life of just a few months or even weeks.

Since January, Iraq's 40 million people have been confronted with a fourth coronavirus wave but – unlike other countries – the government has not imposed any restrictions.

Authorities have been taking a largely hands-off approach to the demonstration, attempting to persuade protesters to voluntarily move on.

Police say they will 'hold to account' those responsible, pointing out that attempting to deliberately infect someone with a disease can attract a 14-year jail term.

Police have taken a hands-off approach after an attempt to take control of the lawns late last week resulted in violent clashes and 120 arrests.

Britain has offered Covid-19 shots to vulnerable children, but has been slower than the likes of the US and Israel in offering the vaccine to all 5- to 11-year-olds.