Doctors and pharmacists in united call to continue subsidised COVID tests The COVID-19 Rapid Test Concessional Access Program will not be extended beyond the end of July, despite the ongoing BA.5 wave.
Expanded COVID antivirals access hindered by telehealth restrictions While more people are now eligible to receive treatment through the PBS, GPs warn that vulnerable patients risk being left behind due to a lack of MBS support for extended phone consultations.
Big fluctuations in PBS antiviral use by state The ability to issue life-saving COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments via the PBS may have so far largely depended on where prescribers work.
In Practice: Changes to NDIS Act The amendments came into effect on 1 July and are designed to deliver a better experience and outcomes for participants, families and care.
Burden of COVID and dementia set to grow: AIHW report Life expectancy for boys is increasing faster than for girls, as the true impact of the pandemic shows in the national agency’s latest health assessment.
Extra 7.4 million eligible for fourth COVID shot ATAGI recommends that everyone aged 50–64 should get a second booster, while those between 30–49 may also receive a fourth dose.
Awards will support risk-benefit analysis of COVID vaccination in kids A newly funded project will evaluate how risk communication for vaccines can be improved to boost vaccine uptake among children.
‘Shocking’: Migrants more than twice as likely to die of COVID-19 The burden of the pandemic hugely and disproportionately lies among those born overseas, official ABS figures show.
What to expect from a third Omicron wave in Australia Subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, described as ‘masters at evading immunity’, will dominate the next phase of COVID-19.
‘For some, it’s been too much’: COVID’s impact on aged care As the unwelcome milestone of 10,000 COVID deaths passes, GPs involved in the aged care response talk about the impact and what lies ahead.