Wariness and outright hostility to vaccines did not start with COVID-19, they date back to the 18th century when the first shots were given. From real fears sparked by side-effects, to fake studies and conspiracy theories, we take a look at anti-vax sentiment over the ages:1796: First Jab, First FearsSmallpox killed or disfigured countless millions for centuries before it was eradicated in 1980 through vaccination.In 1796 the English physician Edward Jenner came up with the idea of u

United States (US) prosecutors said Friday they had charged two Myanmar citizens in a plot to attack the country's United Nations (UN) ambassador, Kyaw Moe Tun, an outspoken supporter of the democracy movement who has refused junta orders to quit.In an alleged conspiracy foiled by US investigators, the pair spoke of hiring hitmen who would force Kyaw Moe Tun to resign or, if he refused, to kill him, officials said.The pair "plotted to seriously injure or kill Myanmar's ambassad

The Philippine capital Manila returned to lockdown Friday as authorities sought to slow the spread of the hyper-contagious Delta variant and ease pressure on hospitals while trying to avoid crushing economic activity.Police checkpoints across the National Capital Region (NCR), where more than 13 million people live, caused long queues as officers in camouflage uniforms inspected vehicles to ensure only essential workers were on the road.Experts warned that an explosion in Delta cases could ov

Authorities in Thailand are facing allegations of using lawsuits and new emergency decrees to fend off a rising tide of public anger about their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as the country’s infection rate and death toll continue to hit record highs.Officials insist the moves are aimed strictly at those spreading false and misleading information, but their latest decree could let authorities block online reports that may “instigate fear” even if true, lawyers and rights groups said.&

Here are the latest updates in the coronavirus crisis:200 Million CasesMore than 200 million cases of COVID-19 have been registered worldwide since the novel coronavirus emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP.Two Billion DosesChina will "strive to provide" two billion COVID-19 vaccine doses to the world this year and donate US$100 million to the international vaccine distribution system COVAX, President Xi Jinping says.French He

The number of COVID-19 infections recorded worldwide passed 200 million on Thursday, an AFP count showed, as the pandemic surges around the world, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region where the Australian city of Melbourne locked down again.The highly contagious Delta variant has driven the virus to return with a vengeance, the number of daily cases recorded worldwide rising by 68 percent since mid-June.But as more of the world gets vaccinated against the coronavirus – particularly in weal

In March 2020, Cambodian authorities made it clear they would take no chances with COVID-19. Tourism visas were suspended. Land borders were closed, leaving citizens stranded. Curfews and domestic travel restrictions emptied the kingdom’s world-renowned archaeological sites of visitors and shut down once-bustling nightlife spots.For nearly a year, such vigilance made Cambodia a COVID-19 success story.

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:WHO's Booster PleaThe World Health Organization (WHO) calls for the rollout of vaccine booster shots to be delayed so that poor countries have a better chance of getting their hands on doses for first and second jabs.Beijing Travel Curbs The Chinese capital tightens restrictions on overseas travel for its citizens as the country reports its highest daily number of local cases in six months.First Olympic ClusterAll 12 mem

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Wednesday appointed an envoy to Myanmar after a months-long delay in diplomatic efforts to resolve the coup-hit country's political crisis.ASEAN's foreign ministers said in a joint statement, delayed by internal wrangling, that they welcomed the appointment of Brunei Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof as the bloc's special envoy.Member state Myanmar has been in political chaos since the military junta ousted Aung San Suu K

The Thai government has hinted strict curbs could be extended until the end of August amid surging cases. Thailand has reported 20,200 new coronavirus cases and 188 additional deaths – both records since the start of the pandemic last year – increasing the likelihood that virus-related restrictions will be extended.The new cases and fatalities reported on Wednesday brought total cases to 672,385 and deaths to 5,503, data from the health ministry’s website showed.