Fourth COVID-19 vaccinations dose extended

Eligible people aged 16 years or older with disability, significant or complex health needs, or multiple comorbidities which increase the risk of a poor outcome continue to be strongly encouraged to take up their next or fourth COVID vaccination dose to reduce the risk of waning protection and COVID illness.

ATAGI have now expanded eligibility for the fourth COVID dose to: ​

• adults aged 50 to 64 years, a fourth dose is strongly encouraged and can be received three months after the previous COVID vaccination or a positive COVID result; and
• adults aged 30 to 49 years, noting that benefits are less certain for those in this age group

ATAGI recommendations for a winter dose of COVID-19 vaccine

It is critical that people with disabilities, many of whom are medically vulnerable to COVID-19, have access to vaccinations. The Department of Health have also developed guidance for providers in the situation when a substitute decision maker does not give consent for an adult with disability to have a vaccination. NDS is aware that this has been a challenging situation for providers to manage.

In-reach program

The Commonwealth in-reach COVID vaccination program will continue until 30 October with Vaccine Administration Partner Program (VAPP) required to contact all disability residential services to identify COVID vaccination needs.

Vaccinations will include primary or booster doses for residents and accommodation workers. Residential Service providers can identify their site needs with VAPP when contact is made or through  Residential Disability Accommodation COVID-19 Winter Dose Vaccination Clinic - Registration Form.

Flu vaccinations

Influenza vaccinations continue to be strongly recommended for all people as case numbers are expected to increase in the weeks ahead.

A COVID and influenza vaccination can be received at the same time depending on the vaccine provider. However, this is not available through Commonwealth VAPP in-reach COVID program.

Antiviral oral treatments

Providers are encouraged to share with workers, participants and their families information about COVID antiviral treatments that are widely available to reduce the incidence of severe disease across the community and hospitalisation.

Treatment eligibility includes anyone who is moderately to severely immune compromised, people living in residential disability settings and people with disabilities who are at risk of poor recovery outcomes and people aged 70 years or older.

Antiviral treatments must be prescribed within the first five days of a COVID positive result for greatest effect.

Early access to antivirals is reliant on prompt reporting of RAT positive results through state and territory governments which enables the link to appropriate assessment pathways.

For more information, refer to: Updated eligibility for oral COVID-19 treatments - Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Winter risk management actions

As temperatures drop and new COVID-19 variants emerge, providers are encouraged to review their risk management policies and procedures to address winter infections as high community transmission continues to occur.

Considerations should include:

• Outbreak preparation and plan monitoring, maintaining sufficient PPE supplies to use for outbreaks, ensuring they can last for a minimum of two weeks. Refer to the PPE COVID-19 outbreak supply calculator for a guide to staff needs.
• Prompt reporting of all COVID positive cases and outbreaks (workers and participants) to relevant government departments to establish links with positive pathways program assessment and supports. The NDS Rapid Antigen Tests information for Disability Providers document includes state and territory web links
• Clear communication to workers, participants and their families regarding any infection symptoms, testing, reporting internally for exposure tracking and recovery isolation 
• Improved ventilation protocols including increased natural air flow and where appropriate the correct use of HEPA filters
• Implementation of worker mask wearing indoors, where social distancing cannot be maintained (where pandemic order requirements are not already in place)
• Options for working from home as appropriate to reduce exposure.