COVID-19 continues to circulate in our community
Please STOP the spread of the virus by wearing your mask, avoiding close contact with others, practicing good hand hygiene and cough/sneeze etiquette.
It is no longer possible to report your positive test result to the Victorian Health Department so it is hard to know exactly how much COVID-19 is in the community. We do know that some hospitals are having a surge in patients to the emergency department with COVID-19 with many staff having to stay home from work making it difficult for them to look after the health needs of the community.
COVID-19 booster vaccine program
We currently have the supply of the Pfizer vaccine targeted at the variant of the virus circulating in the community Cominarty LP 8.1 and it is very protective against this and previous variants of COVID-19 virus.
Unfortunately no vaccine offers complete prevention of this infection, but rather they markedly reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19 infection.
From 1st October 2026, Covid 19 vaccines will no longer be funded under the National Immunisation Program. Under the NIP, funded Covid19 vaccines will longer be available as a universal program.
Free Covid-19 vaccines will be available under theNIP for:
People who are not eligible for a funded Covid-19 vaccine may choose to purchase the vaccine privately based on a risk- benefit discussion with their healthcare provider.
Please phone the clinic to arrange your appointment if you are elegible a COVID-19 booster vaccination.
Anti-viral medications:
These are available on script for eligible people who have symptoms of COVID-19 infection and are in a high-risk category. You will need a telephone appointment with your GP to discuss this medication and they cost around $30 or $6 for pensioners. They are available on a private script if you are not eligible and the cost is $1100 a course. GPs have strict rules to follow when prescribing due to their cost to the health department.
Anti-virals work best if started early in the illness, and at that time you might not feel very unwell at all, but we won’t know if you are going to get worse (can take a week to do so and by then it is too late to start them). Your GP needs to verify your positive RAT test so the receptionist should ask you to send us a photo of your test, or show us by other means. We can send your prescription electronically.
Remember that RAT tests are not perfect – they can take several days to become positive if ever, so if you are very suspicious that you have COVID-19 infection (eg everyone else in your house has it but your RAT is negative) and you are eligible for anti-viral drugs, talk to us about how we can get you a PCR test.
If you have tested positive to COVID-19:
If you are not fully vaccinated, immune suppressed or have multiple medical problems, please make an appointment with your GP to discuss your symptoms and decide whether you need further treatment.
If we are closed, please contact our afterhours locum service DoctorDoctor to arrange a telehealth consultation as you may be eligible for antiviral medication by calling 132 660 or this link will take you to their website: https://support.doctordoctor.com.au/locations/melbourne/
The following are links to resources for general advice to help you understand the virus and monitor your symptoms:
These are links to help you check if you are eligible for anti-viral drugs or of course ask your GP:
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/covid-19/covid-19-antiviral-medicine
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptom-checker
This link is a good summary and guide as to what you should do if you have COVID-19 infection: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/covid-19/checklist-covid-19-cases
Isolation is no longer enforced, although note that the guidelines suggest isolating for 5 days.
However most people ARE STILL INFECTIOUS after 5 days, especially if you are still coughing and blowing your nose – so be sensible and considerate to your family, friends and work mates to avoid spreading it around to them and their vulnerable people (including pregnant women). Use your symptoms and further RATs to guide you, a good N95 mask, social isolation and good hand hygiene – back to the basics.