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Eligibility expanded for COVID boosters and antivirals

Two significant changes came into effect in the past week to help minimise the spread and severity of COVID cases.

Two significant changes came into effect in the past week to help minimise the spread and severity of COVID cases.

Eligibility for fourth COVID vaccine doses was expanded as of last Monday following updated Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice recommending a fourth dose for all Australians over the age of 50, and allowing people aged 30-49 to access a fourth dose if they choose to do so.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee also expanded the eligibility criteria for COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments, Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) and molnupiravir (Lagevrio) effective from 11 July 2022.

Eligibility has been broadened to include people who have chronic respiratory issues due to conditions such as COPD, moderate or severe asthma and there is also greater access for adults living with disability who have multiple medical conditions.

Not being vaccinated has been removed as a risk factor from the criteria for prescription under the PBS.

The new eligibility includes updated age limits and risk factors summarised below. 

Older Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who test positive for COVID-19.

  • 70 years or older
  • 50 years or older with 2 risk factors
  • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, 30 years or older and with 2 risk factors.

 

Risk factors include:

  • living in residential aged care
  • living with disability with multiple conditions and/or frailty (but not limited to living in supported accommodation)
  • neurological conditions like stroke or dementia and demyelinating conditions e.g. multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome
  • chronic respiratory conditions including COPD, moderate or severe asthma
  • obesity or diabetes (type I or II requiring medication)
  • congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies
  • kidney failure or cirrhosis
  • living remotely with reduced access to higher level healthcare.

 
People aged 18 years and older who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and test positive for COVID-19.

Conditions include:

  • blood cancer or some red blood cell disorders (thalassemia, sickle cell disease)
  • transplant recipient
  • primary or acquired (HIV) immunodeficiency
  • chemotherapy or whole-body radiotherapy in the last 3 months
  • high dose corticosteroids or pulse corticosteroid therapy in the last 3 months
  • immunosuppressive treatments in the last 3 months
  • rituximab in the last 12 months
  • cerebral palsy or down syndrome
  • congenital heart disease
  • living with disability with multiple conditions and/or frailty.

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