COVID-19
Annual Covid boosters confirmed
Government accepts ATAGI recommendations for annual free Covid-19 booster shots for adults Australians aged 18 to 64 years will be eligible for annual Covid-19 jabs, Mark Butler the Minister for …
It’s 4 years since the first COVID case in Australia
Here’s how our pandemic experiences have changed over time, writes Deborah Lupton from UNSW Sydney It might be hard to believe, but four years have now passed since the first …
Anti-vaxxer abuses pharmacy staff in ‘death shot’ rant
Health workers in public hospitals have protection from abusive members of the public – but community pharmacy is left vulnerable, says a pharmacist who was recently targeted by anti-vaxxers Staff …
Tasmanian pharmacy gave expired Covid jabs
One state health department is working with a pharmacy to contact some of its patients, to whom it gave expired Covid vaccines Tasmania’s director of public health, Dr Mark Veitch, …
Covid antiviral uptake rising
Record number of Australian patients accessing antiviral treatments for Covid-19 December marked a record month for Covid antiviral use in Australia, with more than 93,000 patients receiving the medications, Chief …
No fears over antiviral supply: Butler
Health Minister says he is “not aware” of issues with supply of antivirals, despite surging case numbers, while deferring to expert advice on calls for widened PBS eligibility Speaking at …
ATAGI shifts Covid vaccine preference
Monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 Covid-19 vaccines are now the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s (ATAGI’s) preferred option for individuals aged five years and older ATAGI has updated its guidance regarding …
New Covid jab approved
The TGA has approved Pfizer and BioNTech’s Omicron XBB.1.5-adapted monovalent Covid-19 vaccine Pfizer and BioNTech SE announced on Wednesday (11 October) that the Therapeutic Goods Administration has authorised their Comirnaty …
Nose picking awareness link to Covid amongst health workers
A new study has examined behavioural and physical factors which may contribute to the increased risk of Covid-19 amongst health workers Why not to pick your nose: Association between nose …
Extension to Covid medicine PBS listing
Government announces a new demographic cohort will have PBS access to an anti-COVID medication The Federal government has announced that, from 1 July, the eligibility criteria for PBS access to …
Broader use of medication recommended
PBAC recommends extending eligibility criteria for Covid medication to an additional population group In an out-of-session consideration, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended changes to the circumstances …
In shortage: the impact on pharmacy
Researchers examine the effects of COVID-19-related stock shortages on community pharmacy practice… and warn 60-day dispensing could mean shortages to come This is the fifth in a series of articles …