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People aged 16–39 eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine from 30 August 2021
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Thursday 19 August that those aged 16–39 will be eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from 30 August 2021.
Currently, individuals aged 18–39 can receive the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine after providing informed consent.
The community has been asked to hold off on booking at this stage to avoid inundating general practices while systems and processes are updated. The Vaccine Eligibility Checker will be updated when appointments become available.
Information for pregnant and breastfeeding patients and those planning pregnancy
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) has published updated information on COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant and breastfeeding patients and those planning pregnancy. The updated information includes advice on the use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in these groups, recommendations for pregnant patients who have already received a dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and addresses the safety of all Australian-approved COVID-19 vaccines for breastfeeding patients.
The Department of Health’s (DoH) decision-making guide for patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy has been updated.
Updated clinical guidance on use of COVID-19 vaccine in Australia in 2021
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) Clinical guidance on use of COVID-19 vaccine in Australia in 2021 resource has been updated with reference to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, clarifies the minimal interval between any COVID-19 vaccines in order to be deemed valid, and provides updated information about serious adverse events that may warrant the use of an alternative vaccine brand for subsequent doses.
Read the updated guidance
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 12 and over now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 12 and over are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This follows recent advice from ATAGI that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 12–15 years be prioritised for vaccination using the Pfizer vaccine.
In a letter to vaccine providers last week, it was noted that only 29.7% of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population aged 16 and over has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. This is in comparison to approximately 48.8% of the non-Indigenous population of the same age group.
To increase vaccination rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:
- ensure people who enquire about vaccination are checked for eligibility, including being an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person aged 12 and over, and prioritise for an appointment
- ensure people have the opportunity to identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and have their response recorded during the registration/enquiry processes
- contact all eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients again and offer priority vaccination
- offer vaccination to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients when they attend for other reasons.
You can find information to help you talk to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about COVID-19 vaccines on the Department of Health website.
Change of name: AstraZeneca now registered as brand name Vaxzevria
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) last week approved AstraZeneca's submission to change the name of the COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca to Vaxzevria.
Vaxzevria is the name already approved by regulatory authorities in Europe and the UK.
This change is one of name only. AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine is the same product wherever it is made. There are no changes in the manufacturing or quality control of the vaccine.
Vaxzevria-branded product will come into supply in late 2021, replacing the current COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca branding.
COVID-19 vaccine safety surveillance
You can find the latest COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report (with data on adverse events following immunisation up to 19 August 2021) on the TGA website.
Educational resources on MBS billing for providers administering COVID-19 vaccines
Services Australia has published tailored infographics to support providers billing MBS COVID-19 vaccine suitability assessment items.
The infographics clarify billing requirements for MBS items for:
You can also view a list of vaccine suitability assessment items for use by GPs and other medical practitioners.
For more information on changes for health professionals during the COVID-19 response, visit the Coronavirus information for health professionals page.
The Health Professional Education Resources Gateway has a designated page for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. It contains a range of educational resources to support you with the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. Follow these steps to access the resources:
- In your browser search medicareaust.com/index
- Select play to continue
- Select the Health Professional Education Resources Gateway link
- Select the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout menu tab on the left
If you would like to provide feedback on any of these resources, you can email Medicare.Education@servicesaustralia.gov.au
Billing COVID-19 vaccine appointments
Members are reminded that MBS COVID-19 vaccination services cannot be made contingent on any other service or fee. This includes, but is not limited to:
- patient registration fees for patients new to a practice
- bookkeeping or registration fees for the appointment
- general health checks (these should be incorporated into the bulk billed patient eligibility assessment or bulk billed in-depth patient assessment)
- any other service which the practice or practitioner requires before any COVID-19 MBS item.
In almost all cases, co-claiming will only be permitted where another GP or other medical practitioner (OMP) service is provided that is unrelated to the vaccine assessment item. However, where a patient suffers a significant adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine, the GP or OMP is permitted to provide another MBS-rebateable service in order to provide appropriate treatment.
A significant adverse reaction includes, but is not limited to, systemic reactions such as syncopal episodes and severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis. It may also include a strong, adverse mental/emotional reaction to the vaccination. Severe adverse reactions are expected to be rare.
Services provided to a patient suffering a significant adverse reaction should be bulk billed.
For more information on billing requirements for vaccine appointments, visit MBS Online.
Anti-vaxxers once again targeting GPs and general practices
We have recently been made aware of several campaigns by anti-vaccination groups to target GPs and general practices across Australia.
One group is apparently calling on its supporters to book appointments and then bombard GPs with questions about COVID-19 vaccinations. We understand these individuals may present you with a letter regarding informed consent and alternative therapies. You are under no obligation to sign any such letter.
Another group are apparently encouraging people to serve cease and desist letters demanding you stop delivering COVID-19 vaccines.
Be aware, in both cases it has been indicated these conversations may be surreptitiously recorded and shared online.
If you feel harassed by anti-vaxxers or anti-vaccination groups, ask individuals to leave the premises in the first instance and escalate to local police if required. If you have any concerns about your legal rights in these circumstances, please don’t hesitate in contacting your medical defence organisation.
Please also consider emailing advocacy@racgp.org.au to help us understand if this becomes a widespread issue in general practice.
Resources to support you, your practice and your patients during COVID-19
The RACGP has developed a number of resources to support GPs and the general practice team during COVID-19. The college website holds all RACGP COVID-19 resources in one centralised location:
Access COVID-19 resources