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While there are currently no known cases of COVID-19 in NSW, we must remain vigilant, particularly given the current Victorian outbreak and the link to a positive case identified in Victoria who had visited the Jervis Bay area and Goulburn on 23 and 24 May. See here for more information.
COVID-19 virus fragments have been detected in sewage within the Homebush network, which includes the following suburbs: Homebush West, Strathfield, Rookwood, Concord West, Sydney Olympic Park, Wentworth Point, Newington, Lidcombe, Homebush, Silverwater, Petersham, Liberty Grove, Rhodes, North Strathfield, Concord.
COVID-19 vaccine roll-out
All general practices not currently participating in the vaccine roll-out were invited to apply to join the program on Thursday 27 May. The Expression of Interest closed on Monday 31 May at 12 noon. We anticipate that 60 practices in our region will be allocated 300 doses of AstraZeneca per fortnight and will commence vaccination from late June 2021. Practices will be prioritised for selection based on their location, access for vulnerable population groups and accreditation status.
Click here for further information on the EOI process.
Eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines
GPs are encouraged to monitor advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on the use and safety of COVID vaccines. The latest weekly update can be found here.
The joint statement between ATAGI and the Thrombosis and Haemostasis Society of Australia (THANZ) on thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) in relation to COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca published on 23 May remains current. In particular, please note that recommendations for using Cominarty (Pfizer) vaccine in people over 50 years of age is limited to specific conditions. People with a history of thromboembolism in typical sites, non-immune thrombophilic disorders, ischaemic heart disease or stroke, on anticoagulants, thrombocytopenia or a family history of thromobosis or clotting conditions, can continue to receive AstraZeneca vaccine.
Please do not refer patients to state vaccine hubs for Comirnaty vaccine unless they have one of the conditions that ATAGI recommends have the Pfizer vaccine. Non-eligible patients will not be given Comirnaty unless they meet ATAGI criteria, even if referred by their GP.
GP delivery of COVID-19 vaccine to new residents in Aged Care facilities
There may be instances where new or existing residents in Aged Care facilities have not received a COVID-19 vaccination through the Commonwealth in-reach vaccine program. GPs now have the opportunity to deliver AstraZeneca vaccine to these residents who are in the vulnerable population.
Considerations that need to be applied include:
Ensuring all reporting requirements are met, such as uploading administration data into AIR, and maintaining appropriate medical records per vaccination assessment/administration.
Maintenance of vaccine cold-chain integrity during transport and at the site of the administration to ensure vaccine potency. Please see the following links:
We encourage eligible GPs to communicate with Aged Care facilities that they usually service to discuss the opportunity to support new and existing residents to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines
Although co-administration of a seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccine on the same day is not routinely recommended (the recommendation from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation is a minimum interval between the two vaccinations of 14 days), there are circumstances where shortening this interval is justified. Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly has strongly recommended that residents and staff in residential aged care settings are vaccinated as quickly as possible against COVID-19, regardless of when they received their influenza vaccination.
Click here to read Professor Kelly’s recommendations in full.
Welcome to our new website! As you may have noticed, our website looks different. Central and Eastern Sydney PHN have moved to a new site and although much has remained the same, we have introduced some new functions. These include: Updated navigation When you land on our new website, you…
COVID-19 weekly update – 02 JANUARY 2023 COVID-19 cases in the region Please note: From next week the latest COVID-19 information will be included in the Sydney Health Weekly newsletter, rather than separated at the top. We will still provide COVID-19 related information as well as the dedicated COVID-19 latest…
FIVE QUESTIONS is where we ask members of the community to talk about how they stay HEALTHY. Randwick scientist and grandmother Hilda Stender shared this: What exercise did you do yesterday? I’ve had two knee replacements – one four years ago and the other six months ago. As a result,…
Immunisation weekly update – 1 February 2023 Childhood immunisation overdue reports CESPHN is inviting general practices to sign up to receive a regular report extracted on your behalf from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) which is specific to your practice. This report contains all children aged 0-5 living in the CESPHN region…
Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) digital health webinars Implementing MyHealth Record Policies in your organisation Thu 9 Feb 23, 12.30-1.00 pm – learn how to implement and maintain a My Health Record Security and Access policy in your organisation. Understand the importance of the Responsible Officer (RO) and Organisational Maintenance…
UNSW research – Palliative care and intellectual disability A research team led by Professor Julian Trollor at the Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry, UNSW Sydney, aims to design, implement, and evaluate a new palliative care service for people with intellectual disability. This is important because people with intellectual disability often…
GP support needed: Shared e-Care plan study for follow-up of colorectal and breast cancers This research evaluates shared care using a new interactive e-care plan being implemented through cancer services in Prince of Wales and St George public and private hospitals. Through the e-care plan GPs, cancer specialists and patients…