News

COVID-19 Vaccination information and resources for GPs

Published 24 March 2022

A range of information resources are provided here to support GPs as they vaccinate patients and care for COVID-19 patients in the community. 

Department of Health resources 

The Department of Health has published several collections of resources about COVID-19 vaccination, vaccine rollout, and clinical guidance from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). These resources are updated when new information is available, so GPs should ensure they have access to the latest versions.  

Updated ATAGI recommendations on the use of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine 

The latest Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommendations on the use of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine are available here.  

Lagevrio listed on PBS 

From 1 March 2022, the first oral treatment for COVID-19, Lagevrio® (molnupiravir), was 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.  

Some information related to PBS listing of Lagevrio® (molnupiravir):  

ATAGI advice on temporary medical exemption  

ATAGI advice on vaccination after testing positive for COVID-19 

ATAGI statement on the use of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine (Nuvaxovid)  

Resources on caring for COVID-19 patients in the community  

Medicare Support in Response to Omicron - GP and Other Medical Officer (OMP) Longer Telephone Consultation Factsheet– Information for the use of item numbers 92746 (for GPs) and 92747 (for OMPs). 

MBS COVID-19 Management Support Service Factsheet 

Managing COVID-19 at Home - Resources for patients and healthcare professionals 

With a highly vaccinated population, most COVID-positive people are unlikely to get severely unwell or require hospitalisation and will be able to manage their symptoms at home – where clinically safe and appropriate to do so. These tools can help people living with COVID to know what actions they may need to take and when they may need to seek further medical help.  

The Department of Health has also provided links to a range of clinical guidelines published by the RACGP and the National COVID-19 Evidence Taskforce to support GPs to manage and monitor their COVID-positive patients in the community. 

For everyone: 

National Coronavirus Hotline 

1800 020 080 

For information about COVID-19 or COVID-19 vaccines – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Vaccine Clinic Finder  

Book a COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic near you that suits your needs. 

COVID Symptom Checker 

Find out if you need to get tested or seek medical help. 

Restriction Checker 

Find out what you can and can’t do in your state or territory. 

Managing Mild COVID-19 at Home with Assistance from your GP 

For patients who have tested positive to COVID-19 and are being cared for at home with assistance from their GP. 

Healthdirect Australia 

Guidance for people that have tested positive to COVID-19, including links to specific information for states and territories. 

Vaccine Side Effect Checker 

Check any side effects after your vaccination. 

For healthcare professionals: 

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) 

Information for GPs and their patients to manage their ongoing health and social issues amid the pandemic, including home-based care guidelines. These guidelines include: 

Guidelines for assessment and risk stratification of  COVID-positive people - National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce 

Evidence-based clinical guidelines for Australia’s healthcare professionals, including clinical flowcharts. 

Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) 

National advice and guidance for public health units responding to a notifiable disease event, including links to specific information for states and territories. 

Guidance on Ordering and PPE Distribution via PHNs 

For information on what PPE is available and how to order please contact your local PHN. 

Guidance on the use of PPE for Health Care Workers 

Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers in the context of COVID-19. 

Videos on PPE Usage: 

Guidance on Community Care Pathways and Patient Escalation 

For information on how to escalate COVID-positive patients in your care, please contact your PHN for details of their community care pathway. 

Find your local Primary Health Network 

Consent forms  

  1. Consent form: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-consent-form-for-covid-19-vaccination  

  1. Information and consent form for parents and guardians of children aged 5 to 11 years: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-information-and-consent-form-for-parents-and-guardians-of-children-aged-5-to-11-years  

Patient information sheets 

  1. Information on AstraZeneca: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-information-on-covid-19-astrazeneca-vaccine  

  1. Information on Pfizer: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-information-on-comirnaty-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine  

  1. Information on Spikevax (Moderna): https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-information-on-spikevax-moderna-covid-19-vaccine  

  1. Information on Novavax: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-information-on-covid-19-nuvaxovid-novavax-vaccine  

  1. After your AstraZeneca: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-after-your-astrazeneca-vaccine  

  1. After your Pfizer: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-after-your-pfizer-comirnaty-vaccine  

  1. After your Spikevax (Moderna): https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-after-your-spikevax-moderna-vaccine  

  1. After your Novavax vaccine: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-after-your-nuvaxovid-novavax-covid-19-vaccination 

  1. Provider information on consent: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-consent-information-for-providers-covid-19-vaccination-consent-and-faqs  

  1. Frequently asked questions on the Taskforce Ivermectin recommendation: https://covid19evidence.net.au/wp-content/uploads/NC19CET-Ivermectin-FAQs-20210826.pdf  

Clinical guidance and decision guides  

  1. ATAGI Clinical guidance: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/advice-for-providers/clinical-guidance  

  1. Clinical recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/advice-for-providers/clinical-guidance/clinical-recommendations  

  1. COVID-19 vaccine doses and administration: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/advice-for-providers/clinical-guidance/doses-and-administration  

  1. Shared decision making guide – pregnancy: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-shared-decision-making-guide-for-women-who-are-pregnant-breastfeeding-or-planning-pregnancy  

  1. Shared decision making guide – frail older people: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-shared-decision-making-guide-for-frail-older-people-including-those-in-residential-aged-care-facilities   

  1. Shared decision making guide – palliative care: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-shared-decision-making-guide-for-people-receiving-palliative-care-or-end-of-life-care   

  1. Shared decision making guide – immunocompromise: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-covid-19-vaccination-shared-decision-making-guide-for-people-with-immunocompromise  

  1. Primary care guide on TTS: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-primary-care-approach-to-thrombosis-with-thrombocytopenia-syndrome-after-covid-19-astrazeneca-vaccine  

  1. Provider information – TTS: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-information-for-immunisation-providers-on-thrombosis-with-thrombocytopenia-syndrome-tts-following-covid-19-vaccination   

  1. Patient information – TTS: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/patient-information-sheet-on-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-and-thrombosis-with-thrombocytopenia-syndrome-tts  

  1. COVID-19 vaccination – Guide to engage and support aged care workers to get a COVID-19 vaccine: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-guide-to-engage-and-support-aged-care-workers-to-get-a-covid-19-vaccine  

Resources for doctors working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients 

  • Updated guidance on TGA advertising restrictions, explaining how you can inform your patients about different vaccine brands availability in your clinic. This includes social, posters and web content. 

  • A video animation in plain English that could be sent to your patients’ emails or used in your clinic waiting room explaining what to expect on your vaccination day, side effects and the need for two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.  

  • A suite of talking points designed for healthcare workers, to assist them with having conversations with patients about COVID-19 vaccines.  

  • Updated social resources with suggested captions to use across your social media networks 

Resources for doctors about pregnancy  

Resources for doctors about immunocompromise 

Existing resources 

Members are also reminded that if you are part of the vaccine roll out and have any problems, the key point of contact in the Commonwealth to raise these is the Vaccine Operations Centre (VOC) that can be contacted on:  

Phone: 1800 318 308 

Email: COVID19VaccineOperationsCentre@health.gov.au  

Note: The VOC hours of operation are between 7am to 10pm (AEDT). 

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