COVID-19

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network has worked closely with the Department of Health and aged care, the Public health Unit and the primary health care workforce since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to support our local communities to stay safe and to protect them from serious illness or Death from COVID-19.

Here’s Why it is still important to get vaccinated:

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way for people to protect themselves from serious illness or death from COVID-19.

  • Preventing severe illness : Vaccines are the best protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19

  • Protection for everyone: Vaccinations are particularly important for those aged 75 years and over or with severe immunocompromise that increase their risk of severe COVID-19.

  • Keeping your guard up: Protection from COVID-19 wanes over time. Regular vaccinations tailored to ones age and health needs, ensure ongoing protection.

 COVID booster eligibility

  • Those over 75 years and over continue to be recommended a dose of COVID-19 vaccine every 6 months.

  • Those aged 65 years of age and adults with severe immunocompromise continue to be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine dose every 6 months

  • All other adults can receive a single dose this year.

Clinical recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines can be found in the COVID-19 Chapter of the Australian immunisation handbook.

COVID-19 vaccinations can be co administered with other vaccines, like the annual influenza vaccine.

 

  • > 75 years – recommended every 6 months

  • 65-74 years – with severe immunocompromise recommended every 12 months and eligible for a dose every 6 months

  • 65-74 years – without severe immunocompromise Eligible every 12 months

  • 18-64 years – with severe immunocompromise recommended every 12 months and eligible for a dose every 6 months

  • 18-64 years – without severe immunocompromise eligible every 12 months

  • 5-17 years – with severe immunocompromise eligible every 12 months

  • 5-17 years – without severe immunocompromise Not recommended

  • < 5 years – not recommended

Updated primary dose advice

  • All adults aged over 18 years are Recommended a single primary dose.

  • People aged over 6 months with severe immunocompromise are recommended 2 primary doses and eligible for a 3rd primary dose based on individual risk-benefit assessment.

  • Children and adolesents aged under 18 years are not routinely recommended a primary dose.

  • Those aged over 6 months to 18 years with medical conditions that may be associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 are eligible for a primary course based on an individual risk-benefit assessment.

 

Reminders

  • All COVID-19 vaccinations must be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

  • Clinical Recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines can be found in the COVID-19 Chapter of the handbook.

  • It is also the responsibility of primary care sites and organisations to ensure their website, resources and policies contain current information.