Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert
The World Health Organization has announced that COVID-19 is a pandemic.
It is important all patients stay up to date with the latest medical advice and announcements. ‘We are all in this together, it takes every one.’
APA is working to provide reliable sources of information that is up to date & practical. Below are the most up to date websites for information and advice.
The official Australian Government Home webpage is a single destination for information relating to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). It contains links to each state and territory government website. Each state and territory webpages details the localised measures being put in place to protect the most vulnerable and to stop the spread of the virus. Information is available in languages other than English via the Translated Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources click here to go to the webpage. Information is also available on the NT Government website in a number of Aboriginal languages click here to go to the webpage.
APA encourages all Australians to vaccinate against COVID-19.
For up to date information on the progress of a vaccine click here. Further details on the vaccination program and approval process can be found here and here also on the also the Australian Government Website Get the Facts click here.
Further information and how to stay update on vaccine development is available at the bottom of this page.
To check your eligibility to have ‘the jab.’, click here.
To find a pharmacy where patients can have ‘the jab’ click here.
As well as links to the State and Territory Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpages the above the webpage contain:
- Essential information and the most recent announcements on national measures to control the virus.
- The latest details on financial support.
- Health and prevention.
- General information related to specific circumstances (domestic violence) or community groups (indigenous population).
- Education and childcare.
- Information for businesses and employees.
- What businesses and services remain open.
- The roll out of a vaccine.
Further general information is also available on the dedicated healthdirect COVID-19 webpage.
The latest News and Media from the Australian Government relating to COVID-19:
https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-news-and-media
The Australian Government has released an app called COVIDSafe.
The purpose of the app is to assist authorities in ‘contact tracing’. Contact tracing is the process Authorities take to locate people who have been in close proximity to a patient who has tested positive to COVID-19. If you download the app you will be contacted more quickly, this will help prevent the spread of the virus.
Downloading the app and participating is voluntary. APA encourages patients to inform themselves fully before downloading the app.
Detailed information on the App can be found on the Australian Government Department of Health website, click here.
To download the IOS (Apple) version click here
To download the Android version via the Google Play store click here
Information on entry to Australia from overseas. Including Australian passport holders or visa holders:
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/current-alerts/novel-coronavirus
Medicines Australia Statement on Limits to dispensing prescription medicine and other pharmaceutical products to ensure equitable access.
Medicines Australia is seeking your support to call for calm amongst the cohort of patients you represent by advising them there are no anticipated shortages of medicines as a result of COVID-19 and no need to stock up with more than their usual supply of medicines.
We welcome today’s announcement by the Government to ensure continued access to medicines by reinforcing limits on dispensing certain prescription medicines and other pharmaceutical products such as Ventolin and children’s Panadol to address unnecessary panic purchasing at community pharmacies.
Under the new restrictions, pharmacists will be required to:
- limit dispensing of certain prescription products to one months’ supply at the prescribed dose, and some over-the-counter medicines (i.e. Ventolin) to a maximum of one unit per purchase.
- be strongly encouraged to limit dispensing of all other medicines to one months’ supply or one unit.
- place some over-the-counter medicines i.e. children’s paracetamol formulations behind the counter to assist in allocating supply equitably.
We would like to reiterate that there is sufficient supplies of medicines in Australia but panic buying will deplete stocks and create local shortages that could impact on the ability of patients who urgently need medication being unable to source it easily.
COVID-19 is an emerging situation and one we may be dealing with for some time. Prudent management of our medicines supply now will assist in the long-term maintenance of our supply chain.
For more information about medicines shortages, please visit: https://apps.tga.gov.au/Prod/msi/search?shortagetype=All or for any new information on COVID-19 visit https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
Additional information on COVID-19, its impact on our lives and how to deal with it are available via:
The Australian Broadcasting Commission podcast called ‘Cronacast’. The podcast can be listened to for free via the ABC Listen app, Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts or via the web ABC Coronacast Podcast
Advice on how to avoid emotional overload is contained on The Conversation website. ‘5 Ways to Manage News Consumption in Times of Crisis’ an article by Mark Pearson published 13th March 2020.
Further information on vaccines in general and COVID-19 vaccines.
The National Centre for Immunisation and Research publishes up to date information on COVID-19 vaccines. Click here to go to the website. For the most recent medical information on COVID-19 vaccines s available on
General information on what is in vaccines and how they are made is available on the Australian Academy of Science website, to read more click here.
The Australian Government has provided answers to frequently asked questions patients have about COVID-19. This is avaialble on the dedicated COVID-19 vaccination page, to read more click here.
Pfizer has put together a timeline on vaccines and their development. To understand more about the history behind vaccines click here.
Further information on vaccines is available in a number of podcasts on Pfizers website. To listen to the podcasts click here.
No Fault COVID-19 Indemnity Scheme.
The federal government has finalised the the details of the no fault COVID-19 Vaccine Claim Scheme.
The Scheme will provide Australians with quick access to compensation for COVID-19 claims related to the administration of a Therapeutic Goods Administration approved COVID-19 vaccine delivered through a Commonwealth Government approved program.
Further information is available here. To read the Ministers press release click here..