News

COVID-19 Vaccination information and resources for GPs

Published 3 February 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.

ATAGI advice on vaccination after testing positive for COVID-19

ATAGI continues to review the evidence and recommendations on vaccination post-infection in light of the recent Omicron variant.

Those with a PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection can temporarily defer vaccination up until 4 months after the infection. The time frame for temporary exemptions was previously 6 months. There is no requirement to delay vaccination.

ATAGI has decreased the time allowable for deferral of vaccination after SARS-CoV-2 infection to 4 months due to the increased risk of re-infection with the Omicron variant, particularly for those who had a Delta variant infection in 2021.

ATAGI continues to advise that previous infection is not a contraindication to vaccination and that vaccination can occur following recovery of acute illness from COVID-19.

For more information, please refer to the ATAGI  statement.

ATAGI recommendation of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine

On 24 January 2022, ATAGI recommended, in line with the TGA’s provisional approval, that Nuvaxovid (Novavax COVID-19) vaccine can be used for the primary course of COVID-19 vaccination in people aged 18 or older.

The recommended schedule for administration is 2 doses, a minimum of 3 weeks apart.

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine can be administered as part of a heterologous (mixed) primary schedule, if required, to people who have received one or more doses of another COVID-19 vaccine, including as a third dose for people who are severely immunocompromised. However, it is not currently recommended for use as a booster vaccine.

Contraindications to vaccination are anaphylaxis to a previous dose of Novavax COVID-19 vaccine or to a component of the vaccine (e.g. polysorbate 80).

For more information, please refer to the ATAGI statement.

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine

Subject to responses received through the Expression of Interest (EOI) process for Novavax COVID-

19 vaccine that closed on Wednesday, 26 January 2022, sites approved for the administration of the vaccine are expected to be able to place orders for the new product in Covid-19 Vaccine Administrative System (CVAS) from early February 2022.

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine will also be included in the standing EOI open for all general practices interested in expanding their participation in the Program. If general practices would like to take time to assess the need in their area, they can be onboarded at any time. The EOI deadline was only for those practices wanting delivery in the first delivery window.

Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine approved for use as a booster for 16-17 years old

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved the Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd COVID-19 vaccine, COMIRNATY, for use as a booster in individuals aged 16 and 17 years old. Dosing in this age group is the same as the adult population - a booster dose of COMIRNATY may be administered intramuscularly after the completion of a COVID-19 vaccine primary series (2 doses).

This primary series can be of any of the COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in this age group, although data on the use of COMIRNATY as a booster with other COVID-19 vaccines is more limited. ATAGI has since provided advice and further information on when this age group is eligible to receive booster doses. 

See here: https://www.health.gov.au/news/atagi-recommendations-for-use-of-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-as-a-booster-dose-in-adolescents-aged-16-17-years

 

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

  2. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  10. 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

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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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 

  6. 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 

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

  8. 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

  9. 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  

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

  11. 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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