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More than 10 million COVID-19 vaccines administered by general practice
Thank you to all general practice teams who have been tirelessly administering COVID-19 vaccines.
Last week, we hit the milestone of 10 million COVID-19 vaccines administered by general practice – more than half of all vaccines delivered.
You and your teams are adept at addressing patient concerns, answering questions and talking through why getting vaccinated is so important, and your efforts have resulted in increasing vaccination rates.
We would like to take this opportunity to recognise the efforts you have all made during the pandemic and COVID-19 vaccine rollout – well done, everyone.
Therapeutic Goods Administration extends provisional approval of the Moderna vaccine to people aged 12 years and older
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has extended the provisional approval for giving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to people aged 12–17 years. Previously, the Moderna vaccine was provisionally approved for use only in those aged 18 years or older.
Information for pregnant patients
The Department of Health’s (DoH) decision-making guide for patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy has been updated to include that pregnant patients should be routinely offered the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at any stage of pregnancy and that if Pfizer or Moderna are not available, AstraZeneca can be considered if the benefits to the individual outweigh the potential risks.
This is in line with Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) clinical guidance.
COVID-19 vaccination for those aged 60 years and older
AstraZeneca remains the only vaccine available to those aged 60 years and older (unless they have a medical contraindication or are in an identified priority group for Pfizer vaccination).
The recent expansion of Pfizer eligibility and TGA approval for the Moderna vaccine does not change this guidance.
Patients aged 60 years and over should be encouraged to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine as soon as possible.
Vaccination advice for patients who have contracted COVID-19
Regarding advice for patients who have previously contracted COVID-19, ATAGI advises that:
Past infection with SARS-CoV-2 is not a contraindication to vaccination; however, it is recommended that vaccination be deferred for up to six months after the acute illness in those who have had PCR-confirmed SARSCoV-2 infection. Evidence suggests that past infection reduces the risk of reinfection for at least six months. Individuals who have prolonged symptoms from COVID-19 beyond six months can be vaccinated on a case-by case basis.
…
Serological testing or other testing to detect current or previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 before vaccination is neither necessary nor recommended before vaccination.
See page 15 of the Clinical guidance on use of COVID-19 vaccine in Australia document.
Vaccinating vulnerable and difficult-to-reach patients
The DoH is encouraging GPs to contact their vulnerable and difficult-to-reach patients who are yet to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This may include patients who are socially or physically isolated, from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, or who infrequently reach out for medical help, among others.
As vaccine supply increases, your practice may have additional capacity to contact your patients who are currently unvaccinated. Please continue to have conversations with those in your communities who have demonstrated reservations about receiving the vaccine. As trusted members of the community, you and your practice team are well positioned to support such conversations and decision-making.
To help your practice identify patients who are yet to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, the RACGP has asked the Federal Government to expedite a search function in the Australian Immunisation Register to allow you to search a patient’s vaccination status.
COVID-19 vaccine communication materials for culturally and linguistically diverse communities
The DoH has updated a stakeholder pack to help you communicate and share COVID-19 vaccine information with culturally and linguistically diverse communities, including in-language:
- videos
- audio files
- posters
- easy-to-read fact sheets
- social media resources.
Access the pack
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 2 September 2021) on the TGA 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.
Ivermectin and COVID-19
Ivermectin is not approved for the treatment of COVID-19 and the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce has issued a strong recommendation against the use of ivermectin outside of randomised trials.
Read the frequently asked questions on the taskforce’s recommendation.|
The TGA has also released a warning on the use of ivermectin.
Preventing and managing patient violence and aggression
The RACGP has developed a brief guide to help you and your practice teams identify and manage incidents of patient aggression and violence.
Unfortunately, general practices have reported increasing occurrences of patient aggression and violence in the context of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Frequent changes to eligibility criteria at a state, territory and federal level and supply issues have resulted in patient confusion and, at times, frustration and aggression directed at the practice team.
Our guide addresses common questions about dealing with aggressive or violent patients, including:
- how your practice team respond to an act, or threat, of aggression or violence
- if your practice can discontinue care when safety concerns exist
- if your practice can disclose an act, or threat, of violence by a patient
- how you can create a safe practice environment and team.
- The guide includes templates for you to use or amend when issuing warning letters, placing patients on acceptable behaviour agreements or discontinuing care for patients at your practice.
We have also developed posters you can display in your practice to inform everyone that aggression and violence will not be tolerated.
Read the guide and download the posters