04 APR 2022 Update highlighted
12 JAN 2022 Updates highlighted
Dear Colleagues,
Vaccinating Australians is key reaching a new COVID-19 normal in which we can start to participate in activities we have always taken for granted. As we all have come to realise, the COVID-19 pandemic is providing new challenges and the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce of which I am a member, is constantly reviewing its guidelines. These are what we refer to as ‘living guidelines’ they change as new information becomes available form international and national sources and evidence-based studies. Please click on the link and explore what is new in your field of practice.
COVID Vaccinations
- ATAGI recommendations on the use of a third primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who are severely immunocompromised | Australian Government Department of Health (added 12 Jan 2022)
- Clinical recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines | Australian Government Department of Health (added 12 Jan 2022)
- Talking to patients about AstraZeneca vaccine: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/talking-to-patients-about-astrazeneca-vaccine (updated 25 July 2021)
- COVID-19 vaccination – Primary care approach to thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome after COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-primary-care-approach-to-thrombosis-with-thrombocytopenia-syndrome-after-covid-19-astrazeneca-vaccine (updated 25 July 2021)
- ATAGI statement on use of COVID-19 vaccines in an outbreak setting: www.health.gov.au/news/atagi-statement-on-use-of-covid-19-vaccines-in-an-outbreak-setting (updated 25 July 2021)
- COVID-19 vaccine: What you need to know: www.science.org.au/curious/people-medicine/covid-19-facts#c19Vaccine (updated 25 July 2021)
- COVID-19 vaccination – updated provider kit for general practices: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-updated-provider-kit-for-general-practices (updated 25 July 2021)
- COVID-19 vaccination – Practice Incentives Program COVID-19 vaccine general practice incentive guidelines: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-pip-general-practice-incentive-guidelines (updated 25 July 2021)
- COVID-19 vaccination – ATAGI clinical guidance on COVID-19 vaccine in Australia in 2021: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-atagi-clinical-guidance-on-covid-19-vaccine-in-australia-in-2021 (updated 25 July 2021)
- Information for people with disability about COVID-19 vaccines: www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/information-for-service-providers-workers-and-people-with-disability-about-covid-19-vaccines/information-for-people-with-disability-about-covid-19-vaccines (updated 25 July 2021)
- COVID-19 vaccination – After your AstraZeneca vaccine: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-after-your-astrazeneca-vaccine(including Easy Print) (updated 25 July 2021)
- COVID-19 vaccination – Information on COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-information-on-covid-19-astrazeneca-vaccine (updated 25 July 2021)
- Patient information sheet on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS): www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/patient-information-sheet-on-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-and-thrombosis-with-thrombocytopenia-syndrome-tts (updated 25 July 2021)
- Information for immunisation providers on thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) following COVID-19 vaccination: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-information-for-immunisation-providers-on-thrombosis-with-thrombocytopenia-syndrome-tts-following-covid-19-vaccination (updated 25 July 2021)
- Joint statement between RANZCOG and ATAGI about COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women: www.health.gov.au/news/joint-statement-between-ranzcog-and-atagi-about-covid-19-vaccination-for-pregnant-women (updated 25 July 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women: ranzcog.edu.au/statements-guidelines/covid-19-statement/covid-19-vaccination-information (updated 25 July 2021)
- Updated ATAGI advice on administering seasonal influenza vaccines in 2021: www.health.gov.au/news/updated-atagi-advice-on-administering-seasonal-influenza-vaccines-in-2021 (updated 25 July 2021)
- COVID-19 vaccination – Guide to engage and support aged care workers to get a COVID-19 vaccine: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-guide-to-engage-and-support-aged-care-workers-to-get-a-covid-19-vaccine (updated 25 July 2021)
- ATAGI COVID-19 vaccination decision aid for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-covid-19-vaccination-decision-guide-for-women-who-are-pregnant-breastfeeding-or-planning-pregnancy (updated 25 July 2021)
- Weighing up the potential benefits against risk of harm from COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-weighing-up-the-potential-benefits-against-risk-of-harm-from-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca (updated 25 July 2021)
- COVID-19 vaccination – ATAGI guidance on the use of multi-dose vials for COVID-19 vaccination: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-atagi-guidance-on-the-use-of-multi-dose-vials-for-covid-19-vaccination (updated 25 July 2021)
- ATAGI – COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for people with immunocompromise: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-covid-19-vaccination-decision-guide-for-people-with-immunocompromise (updated 25 July 2021)
- COVID-19 vaccination – COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for frail older people, including those in residential aged care facilities: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-covid-19-vaccination-decision-guide-for-frail-older-people-including-those-in-residential-aged-care-facilities (updated 25 July 2021)
- COVID-19 vaccination – Shared decision making guide for people receiving palliative care or end-of-life care: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-atagi-decision-guide-for-people-receiving-palliative-care-or-end-of-life-care (updated 25 July 2021)
- COVID-19 vaccination – Consent – Information for providers: COVID-19 vaccination consent and FAQs: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-atagi-immunisation-provider-guide-to-obtaining-informed-consent-for-covid-19-vaccine (updated 25 July 2021)
- ATAGI – COVID-19 provider guide for patients with immunocompromise: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-provider-guide-to-covid-19-vaccination-of-people-with-immunocompromise (updated 25 July 2021)
- COVID-19 vaccination – AstraZeneca vaccine risk-benefit printable: www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-vaccination-astrazeneca-vaccine-risk-benefit-printable (updated 25 July 2021)
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: [email protected]
Note: The VOC hours of operation are between 7am to 10pm (AEST)
(update 26 July 2021)
National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce
- Clinical guidelines for COVID-19
- Flow chart for use of disease-modifying treatments for adults with COVID-19 (pdf) (added 12 Jan 2022)
- Decision chart for use of Adult with symptomatic COVID-19 who does not require oxygen and has one or more risk factors for disease progression (pdf) (added 04 April 2022)
National Coronavirus Helpline
- 1800 020 080 (available 24/7)
Australian Doctor MBS Quick Guide
Find out where your patients can get tested
Victoria Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Avant
Download and print this A3 poster for your practice
Federal government advice and resources
- Medicare Benefits Schedule: New telehealth items
- Department of Health: Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and remote communities
- Department of Health: Advice on distribution of PPE through PHNs
- Department of Health: Primary Care Package – Practice Incentive Payments
- Department of Health: Latest personal protective equipment (PPE) information
- Department of Health: COVID-19 resources for health professionals
- Department of Health: Coronavirus mental health campaign resources
- Department of Health: COVID-19 resources for the general public and industry
- Department of Health: Coronavirus (COVID-19) at a glance infographic collection
- Department of Health: Weekly infographics providing a traffic light report of the coronavirus situation across Australia
- Department of Health: COVIDSafe — Contact tracing app
- Department of Health: Grief and trauma support for those impacted by COVID-19 in the aged care sector (added 8 March 2021)
- Australian Government Coronavirus app
- Coronavirus webinars — hosted by Department of Health Chief Medical Adviser Professor Michael Kidd
- COVID-19 infection control training module
- COVID-19: National Health Plan
- National health plan: Primary Care – bulk billed MBS telehealth services
- Environmental cleaning and disinfection principles for COVID-19
- Department of Health: Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak management in residential care facilities
- Patient information poster: Break the chain of infection — Stopping COVID-19
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare
- CSIROscope – Busting vaccine myths with science (added 8 March 2021)
Read the latest research
- Elsevier Healthcare Hub — With expert insight podcasts
- Elsevier’s free health and medical research on the novel coronavirus
- Sciencedirect — Thousands of open-access articles on coronavirus, SARS and MERS
- ISTH statement on COVID vaccination and thrombosis (added 1 April 2021)
Asthma Australia and the National Asthma Council
- Supporting continuity of care for patients with severe asthma during the pandemic449.66 KB
- Supporting continuity of biologic (MAb)-based care for patients with severe asthma480.8 KB
Cancer Australia / Victoria
- Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 vaccines for people affected by cancer (added 17 March 2021)
- COVID Vaccination in Cancer (added 1 April 2021)
RACGP
State and territory health departments information and alerts
- NSW Health: COVID-19 – health professionals
- Queensland Health: Information for clinicians and healthcare workers
- Victoria Department of Health and Human services: For health services and general practitioners
- WA Health: COVID-19 information
- ACT Health: Information for healthcare workers and Chief Health Officer alerts for health professionals
- SA Health: Information and health alerts
- Tasmania Department of Health: Information and Alerts for health professionals
- NT Department of Health: Coronavirus information
RANZCOG
- COVID-19 statement — Advice for pregnant women and their families
- Advice to obstetricians and gynaecologists, GP obstetricians
International clinical updates:
World maps and stats
Department of Health: Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and remote communities
- WHO: COVID-19 Situation dashboard
- WHO: Coronavirus outbreak information
- Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Situation summary
- Real-time mapping of cases: Johns Hopkins
- BBC coronavirus maps and chart
Please share with your colleagues.
Please stay safe, look after yourselves and most importantly, maintain contact with your friends, families and loved ones during this time.
Magda
Associate Professor Magdalena Simonis AM is the Immediate Past President of the AFMW (2020-2023), former President of VMWS (2013 & 2017-2020) and current AFMW National Coordinator (2024-2026). She is a full time clinician who also holds positions on several not for profit organisations, driven by her passion for bridging gaps across the health sector. She is a leading women’s health expert, keynote speaker, climate change and gender equity advocate and government advisor. Magda is member of The Australian Health Team contributing monthly articles.
Magdalena was awarded a lifetime membership of the RACGP for her contributions which include past chair of Women in General Practice, longstanding contribution to the RACGP Expert Committee Quality Care, the RACGP eHealth Expert Committee. She is regularly invited to comment on primary care research though mainstream and medical media and contributes articles on various health issues through newsGP and other publications.
Magdalena has represented the RACGP at senate enquiries and has worked on several National Health Framework reviews. She is author of the RACGP Guide on Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery and co-reviewer of the RACGP Red Book Women’s Health Chapter, and reviewer of the RACGP White book
Both an RACGP examiner and University examiner, she undertakes general practice research and is a GP Educator with the Safer Families Centre of Research Excellence, which develops education tools to assist the primary care sector identify, respond to and manage family violence . Roles outside of RACGP include the Strategy and Policy Committee for Breast Cancer Network Australia, Board Director of the Melbourne University Teaching Health Clinics and the elected GP representative to the AMA Federal Council. In 2022. she was award the AMA (Vic) Patrick Pritzwald-Steggman Award 2022, which celebrates a doctor who has made an exceptional contribution to the wellbeing of their colleagues and the community and was listed as Women’s Agenda 2022 finalist for Emerging Leader in Health.
Magdalena has presented at the United Nations as part of the Australian Assembly and was appointed the Australian representative to the World Health Organisation, World Assembly on COVID 19, by the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA) in 2021. In 2023, A/Professor Simonis was included on the King’s COVID-19 Champion’s list and was also awarded a Member (AM) in the General Division for significant service to medicine through a range of roles and to women’s health.
