This Primary Care Update expands on the previous COVAX updates to include a broader range of information to support current challenges faced by primary care providers. If you have items to share across the network, please send them to covax@murrayphn.org.au

Please forward this update to any colleagues who may be interested and view previous editions here.

Changes to vaccine products administered
Primary care vaccination providers are reminded that Murray PHN is the primary point of contact for requests to change vaccine type/s you wish to administer. Follow the process outlined in this Commonwealth factsheet then email covax@murrayphn.org.au with your intention to withdraw or amend the vaccines you will be administering. Your request will be passed to the Taskforce for processing. Do not call the VOC to withdraw.
Sites are reminded to update the Vaccine Clinic Finder with any changes to the vaccine types/s administered through the VCF Connect portal. If you have any questions about how to do this, contact CV19.Products@health.gov.au or call on 1800 316 375

Monkeypox (MPX)
A new Monkeypox pathway has been localised to the Murray PHN region and is now available on Murray HealthPathways. Western Victoria PHN clinical advisor Dr Kate Graham noted, “There are currently limited monkeypox vaccinations available for eligible individuals in Victoria. Information about access is included in this pathway. More vaccinations will be available in Australia soon. In the interim, practitioners are encouraged to provide advice about prevention and monitoring for symptoms”.

HealthPathways provide up-to-date information on assessment, management and referral pathways for use by health practitioners. Patient resources are also included. To request free access to Murray HealthPathways, click here. 

Local monkeypox webinar
Murray PHN, in conjunction with Ovens Murray, Goulburn Valley and Loddon Mallee Public Health Units (PHUs) is presenting an update on management of MPX in general practice and the role of the PHUs. It will be held tomorrow, Thursday 8 September from 7 – 8.15pm. For more information and to register, click here.

Further resources

• Victorian Department of Health webpage
• Murray PHN webpage
• Better Health Channel – for enquiries from members of the public
• Commonwealth patient information leaflet

Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV)

• Kyabram vaccination clinic – 13 September
• GV Health COVID-19 vaccination buses also providing Influenza and JEV vaccines to those who meet eligibility criteria.
• Bendigo Health Covid Clinic is open 10am-5.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday. 
• AWH Outreach Vaccination Services

Evusheld community prescribing
In response to clinician feedback, The Victorian Department of Health has simplified the process required to enable nurses in Supercare Pharmacies to administer Evusheld. Supercare nursing services can now be requested by completing an additional section on the Request to Access form. This will reduce the administrative burden for the prescriber and reduce the paperwork a patient is required to bring to the dispensing pharmacy. 
 
The Evusheld Community Prescriber Guide and supporting website content have both been updated and will be available here. A digital map of pharmacies stocking Evusheld is available here.

COVID-19 antivirals
The Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) can prescribe COVID-19 antivirals to Victorians who return a positive result and can’t get a GP appointment or access a GP respiratory clinic. The VVED can assess patients, determine their eligibility for COVID-19 medications, and prescribe these medications.

Practices and pharmacies are encouraged to proactively identify at-risk patients and put plans in place to support their access to timely care, including antiviral and other early therapies if they contract COVID-19, influenza or other respiratory viruses.

For resources including a list of local dispensing pharmacies (updated 29 August), visit Murray PHN's antiviral webpage.

Practice Incentives Program COVID-19 in-reach
The Department of Health and Aged Care has updated the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) COVID-19 In-Reach Vaccination Payment Guidelines to reflect the extension of the incentive to 31 December 2022. Review the updated guidelines here. 

To be eligible to receive the COVID-19 In-reach vaccination payment, general practices must:

• report the relevant details for each in-reach vaccination clinic through the COVID-19 Vaccine Administrative System (CVAS), including the date and number of workers and residents vaccinated per clinic; and
• provide sufficient evidence of in-reach COVID-19 vaccination clinics to support the claim.

Supporting the disability sector

Disability providers and liaison officers have been advised to contact Murray PHN for assistance with engaging local primary care providers to offer in-reach vaccinations or to request Commonwealth in-reach. If your practice is able to assist with in-reach or homebound vaccinations, e: covax@murrayphn.org.au

Primary care vaccine providers can access support and resources from Disability Liaison Officers to enable people with disability to access COVID-19 vaccination at their site in: 

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

Mildura helpline for former Tristar patients
In response to the closure of Tristar Mildura, a helpline has been established to provide advice and support to former patients. From 4pm today, former Tristar Mildura patients can call the Mildura Helpline on 1800 191 663 between 8am and 10pm daily for assistance. For more information and links to local and other supports, click here.

Education and training

• Victorian Department of Health and RACGP Victoria: MPX – the role of General Practice | Wednesday 7 September, 8pm - Note: For anyone registering to attend that does not have an RACGP ID, please use ‘000001’ for ‘other’.
• Murray PHN: Monkeypox (MPX) update for general practice | 8 September, 7-8.15pm
• WAPHA and Tonic Media Network: Separating Fact from Fiction: The evolving clinical challenge of Long COVID | 13 September, 7pm
• Murray PHN: Infection Prevention and Control in general practice update (including for Monkeypox) | 15 September, 12.30-1.30pm

Online learning

• Phoenix Australia: Trauma-informed Care training for general practice staff – use Coupon Code: MPHN38 to complete the training free of charge
• Victorian Department of Health Immunisation eLearning – JEV and Influenza courses
• Victorian Department of Health and VICNISS: Infection prevention and control free online learning package
• NSW Health: Fit testing and fit checking videos

• Kirby Institute: Monkeypox: what we know and what we need to learn (22 August)
• EMPHN: Victorian Virtual ED – your questions answered (16 August)
• Western Vic PHN: What is next for COVID-19 care in General Practice (1 August)
• Safer Care Victoria: COVID+ Pathways: Supporting community access for COVID therapies (27 July)
• Murray PHN: Japanese Encephalitis Virus GP update (15 March)
• Murray PHN: COVID+ home visits: Infection, prevention and control (15 Dec 2021)

Communication and engagement

• Murray PHN's 'It Starts With You' Campaign' supports health services, organisations and community groups to raise awareness of the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Click here to download the campaign materials.

New and updated resources

• DoHAC – updated poster - COVID-19 vaccines in Australia (2 September)
• DoHAC – Children’s remember to check poster for Moderna 6 months – 5 years
• Victorian DoH – COVID medicines eligibility tracker
• DoHAC – Getting help for Long COVID (24 August)
• Moderna information and consent form for parents and guardians of children aged 6 months to 5 years (22 August)
• NCCET – Care at home for children and adolescents with mild COVID-19
• Victorian DoH – clinical decision-making tool for COVID-19 medication selection for at risk people who do not require oxygen (10 August)
• Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) – COVID-19 Antiviral Veteran Factsheet
• DVA - COVID-19 Antiviral Medicines GP Factsheet
• NCIRS guide - Co-administration of vaccines for adults: a guide for immunisation providers (August 2022)
• ATAGI poster – Fourth Dose Eligibility (18 July)
• What vaccine dose do you need? Communication resources, click here (zip file)
• ATAGI fact sheet – Expanded eligibility criteria for COVID oral antiviral treatments from 11 July 2022
• Fact sheet - Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) PBS listing (July 2022)
• Fact sheet - Lagevrio® (molnupiravir) PBS listing (July 2022)
• Updated onboarding pack - COVID-19 vaccines
• Monkeypox (MPX) – latest government advice
• Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) – latest government advice
• 2022 NIP influenza vaccination program
• COVID-19 resources for First Nations communities
• NCIRS COVID Vaccine FAQs
• TGA COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report
• AusVaxSafety COVID-19 vaccine safety data (including children 5-11 yrs)
• ATAGI clinical guidance for COVID-19 vaccine providers in Australia

Further assistance

• Non-urgent COVID-19 vaccination PHN enquiries e: covax@murrayphn.org.au
• Other primary care issues e: gpsupport@murrayphn.org.au
• Murray HealthPathways is updated daily when necessary and should be referred to for the latest information
• COVID-19 Vaccination Advice for Providers website is regularly updated
• Issues and queries relating to the ordering of vaccines, stock management, vaccine delivery dates and the online portal should be directed to the VOC on 1800 318 208.