Department of Health – Primary Health Care COVID-19 Response Teleconference 02/06/2021 – 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.

Comments from AGPA

Practices are seeing a seeing a spike in demand for COVID vaccines. 
There are concerns about significantly increased demand when we start doing second COVID vaccine doses in two  weeks.
It is important we take full advantage of the increase in demand.
It is important we get the vaccines to the GPs who have the capacity and the ability to get them in people’s arms as soon as possible.

Suggested making the RACGP webinar on TTS more widely available

General Notes from the Meeting

Since the last meeting an EOI has been sent out seeking GP clinics to join the program.

Flu vaccines-tracking behind from last year at the same time. Please encourage members to encourage community to have flu vaccines.

Melbourne lockdown will continue as was announced.

A record number of vaccinations have been given in Primary Care in the past 24 hours – 84,000.

Victoria– there will be a special blitz over the next week for anyone working in aged or disability care to be prioritised/fast tracked at vaccination hubs.

Some GP led respiratory  clinics are now administering Pfizer as well as Astra Zeneca. Still waiting on details on when other GP clinics will be given doses of Pfizer.

CSL now producing one million AZ doses per week, some going overseas

Will additional vaccine be available ? We are starting the second AZ doses soon so there will be an increase in demand.

PPE availability for GPs, P2/N95 masks are available, especially in Melbourne. Requests should go to PHN.

Discussed issues around making COVID vaccination mandatory for aged care and disability care workers. DOH seeking feedback on this.

Please note: These are Maria’s notes from the meeting and may be incomplete.