General Topics
Commencing 1 March 2022 Lagevrio® (molnupiravir) has been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Section 85 program as an Authority Required (Streamlined) benefit for patients with mild-moderate COVID 19 who have a high risk for developing severe disease, reducing the need for admission to hospital.
COVID-19 vaccines have been demonstrated to be safe and effective and are recommended for all people aged 5 years and over.
There are very few situations where a COVID-19 vaccine may not be safe to use.
Medical exemptions can only be granted if there are no suitable alternative COVID-19 vaccines available.
For this reason, permanent medical exemptions to COVID-19 vaccination will be rarely required.
The Updated factsheet which outlines the circumstances in which your doctor can grant a medical exemption for receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is here.
Department of Health – Primary Health Care COVID-19 Response Teleconference 2 March 2022 – Meeting notes from Dr Maria Boulton
The Primary Care Implementation Group (PCIG) is an online meeting that includes most primary healthcare peak bodies. It is convened weekly by the Department of Health as part of the COVID-19 response. Dr Maria Boulton attends on behalf of the AGPA.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have updated their recommendations on the use of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Department of Health – Primary Health Care COVID-19 Response Teleconference 8 December 2021 – Meeting notes from Dr Maria Boulton
The Primary Care Implementation Group (PCIG) is an online meeting that includes most primary healthcare peak bodies. It is convened weekly by the Department of Health as part of the COVID-19 response. Dr Maria Boulton attends on behalf of the AGPA. Read more
The latest vaccination data shows the its importance of General Practice to Australian Heathcare having delivered over 20M or approximately 50% of the 40M vaccination doses administered to date.
The results of the AGPA survey on COVID in the Community – GP Care indicates that most GPs consider the risks to their Practices and other patients to be too high and they are too busy with the regular roles of General Practice; so they not intending to participate in the program.
ATAGI have made a number of recent statements which are important for Practices participating in the COVID vaccination program.
Following submissions and lobbying via forums such as the PCIG and Senate inquiries two of the issues on the AGPA agenda have had positive responses from the Commonwealth Government.