COVID-19: Expanded oral treatment eligibility

COVID-19 oral anti-viral treatments are now available. COVID-19 oral treatments are now available to more people and expanded eligibility criteria are summarised below.

Treatment should be commenced within 5-days of symptom onset.

If you are PBS eligible and test positive for COVID-19 book an urgent Telehealth appointment with your GP to discuss your eligibility and treatment options.

These medications are for the treatment in the early phase of COVID-19 infection for people with eligible chronic health and high-risk factor conditions for developing severe disease.

PBS eligibility criteria:

• People may be eligible for a PBS-subsidised prescription of Paxlovid® if they test positive to COVID-19, and are:
  • Aged + 70
  • Aged 50+ with 1 risk factor
  • First Nations people aged 30+ with 1 risk factor
  • Aged +18 with moderate to severe immunocompromise OR who have been previously hospitalised from COVID-19 disease and subsequently reinfected

• The PBS eligibility criteria for Molnupiravir (Lagevrio®) remain unchanged. People may be eligible for a PBS-subsidised prescription of Lagevrio® if they test positive to COVID-19, and are:
  • Aged + 70
  • Aged 50-69 with 2 risk factors
  • First Nations people aged 30+ with 1 risk factor
  • Aged +18 with moderate to severe immunocompromise OR who have been previously hospitalised from COVID-19 disease and subsequently reinfected

Older Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who test positive for COVID-19:

• >70 years old (regardless of risk factors) with or without symptoms
• >50 years old with 1 risk factor
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people > 30 years old and with 1 risk factor

Risk factors include:

• living in residential aged care
• living with disability with multiple conditions and/or frailty (but not limited to living in supported accommodation)
• neurological conditions like stroke or dementia and demyelinating conditions, for example, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome
• chronic respiratory conditions including COPD, moderate or severe asthma
• obesity or diabetes (type I or II requiring medication)
• heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies
• kidney failure or cirrhosis
• living remotely with reduced access to higher level healthcare
• past COVID-19 infection episode resulting in hospitalisation

People aged >18 years old who are moderately to severely immunocompromised and test positive for COVID-19:

If you test positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible for antiviral treatments if you are:

• re-infected and have previously been in hospital from COVID-19
• moderately to severely immunocompromised

Conditions include:

• blood cancer or some red blood cell disorders (thalassaemia, sickle cell disease)
• transplant recipient
• primary or acquired (HIV) immunodeficiency
• chemotherapy or whole-body radiotherapy in the last 3 months
• high dose corticosteroids or pulse corticosteroid therapy in the last 3 months
• immunosuppressive treatments in the last 3 months
• anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody treatment in the last 12 months
• cerebral palsy or Down Syndrome
• congenital heart disease
• living with disability with multiple conditions and/or frailty

Evusheld™ is not currently recommended for routine pre-exposure prophylaxis. It does not have activity against approximately 95% of current variants in Victoria.

Refer to this link for more information.

• Click here for Department of Health fact sheets.

Who should get a rapid antigen test (RAT)?

• Get a RAT as your first option if you have symptoms or are a COVID-19 contact.
• If you have symptoms or are a contact but your can’t access a RAT, you can get a standard PCR test.
• If you can’t access either test at the moment, isolate at home until you can.

When should you get a standard PCR test?

• If you have symptoms or are a COVID-19 contact and you can’t access a RAT, you can get a PCR test.
• If you don’t have symptoms and you’re not a COVID-19 contact, but test positive on a RAT, the recommendation is to get a PCR test to confirm the result. This is not recommended if you have symptoms or you are a COVID-19 contact.
• If required for other reasons and you have been directly advised to get a PCR test.

Where can a RAT be obtained?

Our medical centre DOES NOT offer COVID-19 testing.

• RATs can be purchased from supermarkets, pharmacies, other retail outlets or online from selected suppliers.
• In Victoria RATs are free at at your local council.

Changes to Isolation and Reporting requirements:

Changes to isolation requirements come into effect on 12/10/2022.  Victorians will no longer be required (but are strongly recommended) to report or isolate after testing positive for COVID-19.  You must continue following the current requirements if you are in isolation with COVID-19.  For more information you can also call the Coronavirus Hotline on tel 1800 020 080.

There are different types of COVID-19 contacts and different rules apply.  Make sure you follow the right advice for your situation.

Click here for more information.

Most people recover well from COVID-19. However, if you’ve had a positive COVID-19 test and you’re isolating at home, it’s important to protect those around you and monitor your symptoms.

Click here about how to manage COVID-19 infection at home.

The Victorian GP Respiratory Clinic program has now ended.

We currently provide the Moderna COVID-19 booster vaccine to Medicare card holders by appointment only.

Refer to the Department of Health for alternative locations.

Click here to learn about COVID-19 vaccination after a COVID-19 infection, when you need to get one and who it’s recommended for.

Everyone in Australia should wait 6 months between a COVID-19 infection and their next recommended vaccine dose or booster dose.

You should still have all the recommended doses for your age and health needs.

Click here for information about face masks.

As a condition of entry those >8 years old must still wear a face mask at our medical centre.

Not feeling yourself? It’s OK to ask for help. 24/7 support is available. You can also speak to your GP about services funded under Medicare.

• Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service: 1800 512 348
• headspace: 1800 650 890
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
• ReachOut
• LGBTIQ+ Health Australia

If you think you have COVID-19 or you have had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 first make a Telehealth appointment with one of our GPs before attending the medical centre.

COVID-19 testing is recommended if you feel unwell with the following symptoms:

• fever, chills or sweats
• cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or runny nose
• loss or change in sense of smell or taste

Victoria Harbour Medical Centre does not provide COVID-19 testing.

If you have any of the symptoms, however mild, STAY HOME and seek advice from your GP by a Telehealth phone consultation first to find out how to get tested. 

Our medical centre is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all patients and staff.  We are here to help and have temporarily changed our service model to better manage your healthcare needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Whether you are worried about symptoms of COVID-19 or any other type of health problem, our GPs are still on hand to help.  We encourage you to continue consulting your regular GP for any health matter.

Safe in-person face-to-face consultations or Telehealth appointments are available.  You can make an appointment with us online or by calling the medical centre on (03) 9629 1414.  Screening questions may be  asked when you book or attend an appointment.  You will always be informed of your options when you make an appointment.

We remain open for your health needs but as conditions of entry, it is recommended that all patients and visitors must:

• wear a face mask (those > 8 years old)
• perform hand hygiene upon entry/exit
• observe all patient alert signage and posted placards
• answer pre-entry screening questions truthfully and to the best of your knowledge

If you need urgent medical care always call emergency 000 (triple zero).

If you are seeking information on COVID-19 call the Coronavirus Hotline:

• National Hotline:  1800 020 080

This line operates 24/7 and will connect you to a registered nurse if needed.

For digital resources and daily health alerts about COVID-19 refer to:

• Victorian Department of Health
• Australian Department of Health

For translating or interpreting call 131 450 first and tell them your language.  Click here for translated resources.  SBS Radio is also broadcasting COVID-19 news and information in your language.