COVID Bulletin - 11 January 2022

These bulletins contain the latest updates on COVID-19 and the national rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in Australia.

These updates are current as at Tuesday 11 January 2022

The RACGP’s COVID-19 vaccine information for GPs and COVID-19 information for GPs webpages are updated as new information becomes available.

RACGP advocacy: Deferral of changes to Medicare compliance rules

Changes to Medicare compliance rules due to take effect on 1 January 2022 (ie the addition of telehealth services to the 80/20 rule and introduction of a 30/20 rule for phone services) have been deferred until at least 1 July 2022. This follows strong advocacy by the RACGP and recognises the rapid escalation of COVID-19 cases across Australia and the fact many patients will have their care managed via telehealth while case numbers remain high.

Preparing your practice to manage COVID-positive patients

Last week, we sent advice on preparing your practice to manage COVID-positive patients after the Prime Minister urged people to contact their GP after returning a positive COVID-19 test result.

     Read the article     

COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5–11 years

The COVID-19 vaccination program for children aged 5–11 years has started.

If your practice is administering the paediatric vaccine, please ensure all team members are up to date with their COVID-19 Vaccination Training Program modules and have reviewed the clinical guidance for COVID-19 vaccine providers.

Vaccine booster incentive payment now available

A new temporary MBS item has been created to support medical practitioners administering third COVID-19 vaccine doses and boosters.

MBS item 93666 provides an incentive payment of $10 per eligible vaccine suitability assessment service to patients receiving a third COVID-19 dose or booster vaccination. The incentive is paid in conjunction with the relevant vaccine suitability assessment service. It will not be paid for patients receiving a second-dose service.

This MBS item is available until 30 June 2022. Visit MBS Online for more information.

AHPRA and the National Boards guidance on facilitating access to care in a COVID-19 environment

AHPRA and the National Boards have released guidance on facilitating access to care in a COVID-19 environment. The guidance reinforces existing codes and guidelines and other publicly available information and does not introduce new or different requirements for practitioners.

The guidance notes the expectation that practitioners first comply with public health orders in their state/territory and that the principle of safely facilitating access to care should then guide decisions about treating people in a COVID-19 environment.

Examples of how some settings could safely facilitate access to care and further resources are provided.

     Read the guidance     

Mental health toolkit: COVID-19 vaccination

The Victorian Department of Health (VDoH) has released a new mental health toolkit to help you and your team, along with other vaccine providers, respond to patients experiencing an exacerbation of mental illness or psychological distress related to COVID-19 vaccinations.

The toolkit helps overcome barriers to vaccination by increasing access to COVID-19 vaccines and awareness of existing support services. It guides clinicians to support those experiencing an exacerbation of existing mental health issues in relation to COVID-19 vaccinations and COVID-19 vaccination mandates, as well as new onset of psychological distress in relation to COVID-19 vaccinations and COVID-19 vaccination mandates

     Access the toolkit     

Collateral packs for general practices administering the COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 5–11 years

If your practice is administering the COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 5–11 years, you can now access a collateral pack through the VDoH.

The packs allow you to theme your vaccination site with child-friendly material, including posters and decals for floors and walls.

If your practice was a recipient of the Vaccine Enhancement Grant, you will not need to request a pack as the VDoH is coordinating deliveries separately from this process.

The VDoH will accept orders up to 4.00‌ pm (AEDT) on Friday 14 January 2022. The packs will be delivered directly to your practice and are free of charge.

     Request your pack     

Victorian Specialist Immunisation Service update: Paediatric clinics

Two additional regional paediatric Victorian Specialist Immunisation Service (VicSIS) clinics have joined the VicSIS network at Bendigo Health and Albury Wodonga Health.

Paediatric VicSIS clinics are also located at Monash Health, the Royal Children’s Hospital, Austin Health, Barwon Health, Western Health (Sunshine Hospital) and Northern Health.

For more information, including the VicSIS criteria for referral, visit the VicSIS website.