Australian authorities are investigating the death of a toddler within 12 hours of her receiving a flu vaccination.

Demand for the influenza vaccine has been so high that some medical practices have been left without supplies.

The swine flu virus is being blamed for a leap in the number of pregnant women dying in New Zealand and Australia.

A controversial reasearch paper was withdrawn as a result of a preliminary verdict that the authors had acted 'dishonestly' and 'irresponsibly'.

Medical journal's editors retract paper 12 years after it was published, saying several of its elements are "incorrect".

Scores of Auckland children not vaccinated against measles are being urged to stay away from school after coming into contact with the potentially fatal disease.