This update provides information to help primary care providers tackle current challenges, including COVID-19. Submissions can be sent to covax@murrayphn.org.au

Flood recovery
Here are some quick links to help you navigate recovery. If you require additional support, email gpsupport@murrayphn.org.au or visit our website for helpful advice and information for community and health services.

• The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has collated resources for pharmacies affected by disaster, including supplying PBS medicines at alternative premises, managing missing prescriptions and emergency medicine supply.
• The General Practice Management During a Disaster HealthPathway includes ways to provide general assistance to your patients as well as those in recovery centres, tips on medication safety, and disaster contacts. The updated Rural Community Support During Adversity page provides links to support services.
• Flood and storm information and support is available from the Department of Health and Aged Care. This factsheet also outlines health support available for flood-affected people, including for pharmaceuticals and mental health.
• The Victorian Government's Flood Recovery Hotline (1800 560 760) is available daily between 7.30am and 7.30pm for help with services and support.
• Emergency Relief Centres are listed here.

• Contaminated floodwater can increase the risk of infections, see advice from Loddon Mallee PHU, NSW Health, Healthdirect and WorkSafe QLD.
• A growth in mosquitos may increase the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Share 'Beat the Bite' messaging.
• Look out for signs that you or those around you might be struggling with trauma. The Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing has a short video on preventative measures

Flood preparation
Many flood warnings are still current. Key things to consider:

• Off-site access to data/records
• Location of nearest generator
• Sufficient supplies of medications and consumables
• The needs of at-risk patient groups e.g. those requiring methadone
• Patients have physical prescriptions
• Cold-chain requirements.

COVID vaccination provider bulletin 24 October

Booster dose change for some children
ATAGI recommends that a booster dose of Pfizer 5-11 may be given to children aged 5-11 years who are severely immunocompromised, have a disability with complex needs, or have complex/multiple health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19. The recommended interval between a primary course or a COVID-19 infection and a booster dose remains at three months. 

Click here to read the full bulletin.

Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV)
NSW Health has authorised Nurse/Midwife Immunisers to administer JEV vaccines. Completion of this training is mandatory prior to administration - Japanese encephalitis: A resource for registered nurses and midwives.

Not everyone in flood affected areas is eligible for the JEV vaccine. Access is limited to specific priority groups as outlined in the Victorian Department of Health's Immunisation news bulletin. The Department states that, “Any changes to eligibility will be based on mosquito surveillance, modelling/mapping and JE virus serosurvey results.” Bite prevention remains the most important message.

The vaccine is free for eligible people and general practices are encouraged to bulk bill for the service whenever possible.

Due to JEV supply, providers cannot stockpile or use public stock for travel vaccinations. Orders will be limited and potentially delayed - when ordering, delays will be listed. If you wish to order more stock than allocated due to a high number of requests from eligible people, contact Immunisation@health.vic.gov.au

Providers of the vaccine in the Murray PHN region can be found here and local public health units are also providing JEV vaccines. Please call ahead to ensure stock is on hand and note some sites will be closed due to floods. 

• Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit is holding JE vaccination clinics in Mildura on 7 and 8 November and Nangiloc on 9 November
• GV Health COVID-19 vaccination buses - including Pfizer, Moderna bivalent boosters and JEV vaccines.
• Bendigo Health COVID-19 vaccination clinics - including influenza and JEV via outreach only.
• Ovens Murray PHU vaccination clinics – including influenza and JEV vaccines at Wodonga site.

Change to COVID antivirals eligibility 
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended reducing the number of risk factors required to access antivirals from two to one for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to help increase access to antivirals.

Supporting the disability sector

Murray PHN is helping disability providers and liaison officers to engage primary care providers for in-reach vaccinations. If your practice can assist, email: covax@murrayphn.org.au

Practices can also access support and resources from disability liaison officers in: 

• Albury/Wodonga
• Bendigo/Loddon Mallee
• Shepparton/Goulburn Valley
• Wangaratta/North east

Education and training

Upcoming events

• Victorian PHNs: Statewide PHN Immunisation Forum (Japanese Encephalitis Virus, Monkeypox, Shingles, Meningococcal) | 17 November, 6.30 – 8.30pm

Online learning

• Phoenix Australia: Trauma-informed care during COVID-19 (self-paced approx. 5 hours). Use code PHNMCOVTIC20 to access the course free of charge.
• Phoenix Australia: Being Trauma Aware for Trauma-informed Care (self-paced 90-minutes). Use code PHNMCOVTIC20 to access the course free of charge. This course is included as part of the full Trauma-informed care course above.
• Victorian Department of Health Immunisation eLearning – JEV and Influenza
• Victorian Department of Health and VICNISS: Infection prevention and control free online learning package
• NSW Health: Fit testing and fit checking videos 

• Health Issues Centre: Covid antivirals – How do they work, who should use them and how do we increase uptake (7 September)

New and updated resources

• NCCET– drug treatment flowcharts for adults, children and adolescents, and pregnant and breastfeeding women with COVID-19
• ATAGI clinical guidance for COVID-19 vaccine providers in Australia