Dear Practice and Pharmacy Staff,
Please see this week’s collection of updates and links for COVID Care and Vaccinations.
Focus on: Children’s Week: 22 October - 30October
The theme for Children’s Weeks 2022 is based on UNCRC Article 27:
All Children have the right to a standard of living that supports their wellbeing and healthy development.
Children’s Week celebrates the right of children to enjoy childhood. It is also a time for children to demonstrate their talents, skills and abilities. In recognition of children’s week, we are encouraging primary health providers to speak to parents about Covid-19 vaccination for their child.
6 months to under 5 years at greatest risk of severe illness from COVID-19
ATAGI recommends COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to under 5 years severely immunocompromised, or have a disability, as well as those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions which increase the risk of severe COVID-19.
These include children with the following or similar conditions:
Severe primary or secondary immunodeficiency, including those undergoing treatment for cancer, or on immunosuppressive treatments as listed in the ATAGI advice on 3rd primary doses of COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who are severely immunocompromised;
Bone marrow or stem cell transplant, or chimeric antigen T-cell (CAR-T) therapy;
Complex congenital cardiac disease;
Structural airway anomalies or chronic lung disease;
Type 1 diabetes mellitus;
Chronic neurological or neuromuscular conditions; or
A disability that requires frequent assistance with activities of daily living, such as severe cerebral palsy or Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21).
The recommendation is for 2 primary doses, except for those with severe immunocompromise who require 3 primary doses. The recommended interval between each dose is 8 weeks.
The Department is currently releasing new media targeting the 6 months to under 5 years cohort.
Children aged 5 – 11 years
Vaccination is recommended for everyone in Australia aged 5 years and over.
It is important children complete their primary course, as having all the doses recommended for their age and health needs will extend their protection against COVID-19. For most children, this will be two vaccine doses given 8 weeks apart. For children with immunocompromise this will be 3 doses.
A booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine is not recommended for all children aged 5-11 years
NEW: Booster dose of Pfizer - children aged 5-11 years
At their recent meeting, ATAGI recommended that a booster dose of the Pfizer 5-11 (Orange) (10mcg, ancestral strain) may be given to the following children aged 5-11 years who have completed a primary course of vaccination 3 or more months ago:
those who are severely immunocompromised
those who have a disability with significant or complex health needs
those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19
ATAGI continues to recommend a 3-month interval between a recent confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection and a scheduled dose of COVID-19 vaccine. For more information Click HERE
Vaccination
Frequently asked questions on Moderna bivalent vaccine
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) have provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines. This page has recently been updated with information for patients on the Moderna bivalent vaccine including:
What is the difference between the original COVID-19 vaccine and the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine?
Which vaccine should I get as a booster dose?
Who is recommended to receive the new bivalent COVID-19 vaccine?
I have had a serious adverse event to a previous dose of an mRNA vaccine. Is it safe to get the bivalent vaccine?
Vaccination Clinic Locations
See link for vaccination clinic locations in Western Queensland on the WQPHN website. This includes General Practices, pharmacies and any visiting outreach clinics. Vaccination Locations
MBS Telehealth Eligibility for COVID-19 positive patients: New Exemption
The Australian Government has agreed to a new exemption from the existing clinical relationship requirement (often referred to as the 1 in 12 rule). Effective from Thursday 13th October 2022 until 31 December 2022, an exemption has been implemented for COVID-19 positive patients from the established relationship requirement for telehealth services provided by General Practitioners (GPs) and Other Medical Practitioners (OMPs). This will enable COVID-19 positive patients to access Medicare rebates for telehealth services with any GP.
A COVID-19 positive patient is defined under these new arrangements as a person who has received a positive COVID-19 test result within the last 7 days, confirmed by either a laboratory testing (PCR) or a COVID-19 rapid antigen self-test (RAT) which has been approved for supply in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
For clarity, the level C telehealth item for assessment and consideration of COVID-19 antivirals is excluded from the 1 in 12 rule. That is, there is no requirement for a pre-existing relationship and this item is unaffected by any change in state and territory Public Health Orders.
Guidance on myocarditis and pericarditis after a COVID-19 vaccination
Guidance on myocarditis and pericarditis after a COVID-19 vaccination has been updated on the Department of Health and Aged Care website. You can view this link HERE
Cheat Sheet - Covid Links
The WQPHN collection of Covid Links - Cheat Sheet provide quick links to clinical pathways, treatment information and resources. Latest Cheatsheet Found Here
HealthPathways
General practitioners should refer to HealthPathways for up-to-date information on the clinical management of people with moderate risk, including escalation pathways if people deteriorate and for referral to oral treatments.
