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COVID-19 vaccinations through general practice
As of 23 October 2021, 34,283,479 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Australia, 17,528,227 of which were administered through general practice, equating to 51% of all vaccines administered.
Responding to requests for COVID-19 vaccine exemptions
The Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre website now features a new discussion guide to support you when approached for a vaccine exemption. The guide has suggestions for managing potentially difficult conversations and de-escalating conflict, including useful scripts to guide your conversations. It also references the RACGP’s resource on preventing and managing patient aggression and violence.
Under most public health orders mandating vaccination, exemption is strictly limited to people with a medical contraindication (see the ATAGI clinical guidance) to all available COVID-19 vaccines. Temporary exemptions may be warranted:
- due to an acute major medical condition (eg undergoing major surgery or hospital admission for a serious illness)
- until complete recovery from acute COVID-19 illness (up to six months)
- due to a serious adverse event attributed to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and without another cause identified.
You are authorised to record a patient’s permanent or temporary vaccination exemption in the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) using the AIR – Immunisation medical exemption form (IM011). The ATAGI expanded guidance on temporary medical exemptions for COVID-19 vaccines supports decision making and documentation for vaccine exemptions.
We are seeking clarity on how recording an exemption in AIR correlates with public health order documentation requirements.
Access the discussion guide
Reminder: Third primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine now available for severely immunocompromised individuals
People aged 12 years and over who are severely immunocompromised are now recommended, and eligible, to receive a third primary dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
ATAGI’s recommendations outline immunocompromising conditions and therapies for which a third primary dose is recommended.
An mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) is preferred to Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) for the third dose, but Vaxzevria can be used under certain conditions.
The recommended interval for the third dose is 2–6 months after the second dose of vaccine. A minimum interval of four weeks may be considered in exceptional circumstances.
Antibody testing is not recommended to assess for immunity to SARS-CoV-2 following vaccination, including in immunocompromised people.
As a vaccine provider, you can record the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine to AIR as usual. Entering a third dose does not affect a person’s vaccination status in AIR.
View the updated Provider guide to COVID-19 vaccination of people with immunocompromise.
COVID Vaccine Booking Program update
The RACGP is working closely with the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder provider, Healthdirect Australia, to improve the service. The aim is to make it easier for patients to find their preferred vaccination clinic and book an appointment online while ensuring an integrated system that better aligns with the needs of general practices.
Recent updates to the Vaccine Clinic Finder include:
- reinstating 16 languages in the upfront questionnaire, making it more accessible
- listing the next available appointment on clinic search results, driving an increase in vaccine appointment bookings.
A new register now lists online appointment booking software products that have been assessed for compatibility with the Vaccine Clinic Finder. These online appointment booking products list available appointments at general practices and other vaccine providers and allow patients to complete online bookings through real-time integration with the Vaccine Clinic Finder.
COVID-19 vaccine safety surveillance
You can find the latest COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report on the Therapeutic Goods Administration website.
It addresses reporting of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia, immune thrombocytopenia and Guillain-Barre Syndrome after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, and myocarditis and pericarditis after receiving the Pfizer vaccine.
Watch the webinar