The Federal Government has launched a new campaign to encourage eligible Australians to access life-saving COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments.
The new antiviral treatments are available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, with eligibility now opened to include more people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID‑19.
Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said it was critical to have a COVID-19 plan, and timing was critical for oral antiviral treatments.
“While vaccination against COVID-19 remains the first and best defence, oral antiviral treatments offer another valuable tool in Australia’s response to COVID-19,” Butler said.
“Weekly prescriptions have nearly tripled since the Albanese Government expanded access…we know these medicines can prevent at-risk people from severe COVID-19, hospitalisations and worse.
“This public health campaign will be critical for letting eligible Australians know how to quickly access these life-saving COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments.”
Those who can now receive Government subsidised COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments include:
- People aged 70 years and over
- People 50 years and over with two risk factors
- First Nations people 30 years and over with two risk factors, and
- Immunocompromised people 18 years and older.
The public health information campaign will encourage people at higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19 to have early discussions with their GP about whether an oral antiviral treatment suits their health needs.
For more information on the campaign and eligibility for these treatments, visit health.gov.au.
Source: Media release Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler MP