AMA welcomes increase in COVID-19 vaccines for GPs

“This increase means about 4000 general practices currently getting between 50 and 100 doses per week will be eligible to receive an extra 100 doses each week, which will help improve access for patients,” Dr Khorshid said. 

“More than half of all COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered by GPs, who are now the backbone of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination program. 

“GPs are administering the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is proving to be a very safe and very effective vaccine that is being used in 139 countries around the world. 

“It is important for people to be able to discuss the benefits and risks of vaccination, including any concerns they may have about the very rare instances of blood clots, and GPs are there to help patients to make well-informed decisions about whether or not they should be vaccinated. 

“When supply improves, general practice will be able to take even more COVID-19 vaccines, having a demonstrated history of being able to vaccinate patients on a very significant scale. 

“Winter is coming and while Australia is doing very well to keep COVID-19 out of the community, the situation around the world is a stark reminder of the devasting impact that COVID-19 outbreaks can have. 

“This is no time for complacency and the AMA is encouraging eligible people to come forward and get vaccinated, particularly those who are more vulnerable to COVID-19.” 

Read the full media release here. 

Advice provided by the Department of Health is that general practice vaccination sites that currently receive 50 doses per week will have their doses increased to 150 doses per week. Those that receive 100 doses per week will have their doses increased to 200 doses per week.  

This increase comes into effect immediately for any orders that were placed last week or this week (dependent on where their practice falls into the fortnightly ordering cycle) i.e., a practice that ordered 50 doses last week, will instead receive 150 doses.