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Over $1.1 billion to extend Australia's COVID-19 health response

The Prime Minister has announced the Government will invest more than $1.1 billion to extend Australia's national COVID-19 health response and suppression strategy. Find out more.

Is it true? Countering the misinformation on COVID-19 vaccines

Is it true? is a new feature on our website to help answer questions people may have about COVID-19 vaccines and respond to vaccine misinformation they may have heard. Find out more.

Consultation is open on the draft National Preventive Health Strategy

Public consultation on the draft Strategy is open until 19 April 2021. The Strategy aims to improve the health of all Australians at all stages of life.

COVID-19 cluster in New Zealand

A statement from Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly about the COVID-19 cluster in New Zealand.

Prime Minister’s update following the National Cabinet meeting on 5 March 2021

Read the Prime Minister’s update following the National Cabinet meeting on 5 March 2021.

Clinical update: ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2021

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has provided advice to support immunisation providers ahead of this year’s influenza season.

New PBS listings for multiple sclerosis, asthma and diabetes medicines

The Australian Government has listed a range of medicines for treating multiple sclerosis, asthma and diabetes on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The listings will provide valuable support for more than 51,800 Australians living with these conditions, saving them up to $29,000 a year.

New listing provides relief for Australians with severe eczema

The Government has added a life-changing new eczema medicine to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The $270 million in funding to list the medicine will help up to 3,600 Australians over 12 years of age living with severe eczema.

Next phase of COVID-19 vaccination campaign begins

The second phase of the Australian Government's COVID-19 vaccination campaign has launched. Find out more about the campaign, including when different priority groups will receive the vaccine.

COVID-19 cluster in New Zealand

The New Zealand Prime Minister announced today 27 February 2021 Auckland will go into a lockdown for seven days after a community case with an unknown origin was recorded.

$100 million for medical research technology

The Australian Government is investing $100 million into the development of new technologies to improve the diagnosis and treatment of stroke, epilepsy and lung disease, including COVID-19.

First COVID-19 vaccinations in Australia

Find out more about the launch of Australia's COVID-19 vaccination program.

Green zone travel from New Zealand resumes

The Chief Medical Officer and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) have continued to monitor the situation in New Zealand over recent days.

New variants of SARS-CoV-2 and implications for infection prevention and control practices

A statement from the Infection Control Expert Group (ICEG) on transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

COVID-19 vaccine rollout on track to begin 22 February

Find out who the initial doses of COVID-19 vaccine will go to.

Update for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples about Australia’s COVID-19 vaccines

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is starting in February. Getting a vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting yourself from getting really sick from COVID-19. Encourage your family, Elders and community to get vaccinated when it is their turn so they are protected from it as well.

Help people hear better

Are you a healthcare professional caring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?
You could be eligible for EarTrain: a series of free training modules on how to identify, manage and treat ear disease and hearing loss.

Free online training to help keep you safe at work

Boost your COVID-19 awareness with online infection control training. It’s quick to do and costs nothing.
Find out how a whole team of day care educators used it to bump up their knowledge and confidence to manage their COVID-19 health policies.

No shame in asking for an STI test

Healthy relationships and safe sex – that was the message this National Condom Day marked on 14 February. It’s also a good reminder there’s no shame in asking for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) check.

TGA provisionally approves AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for use in Australia

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for use in Australia.

First Pfizer vaccine doses arrive in Australia

More than 142,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine have arrived at Sydney airport in a major milestone in Australia’s response to the pandemic. Read more about how the vaccines will be rolled out.

Roadmap and implementation plan webinars

You can provide comments through public webinars that will be held between 16 February 2021 and 30 March 2021.

Three-day Auckland lockdown

A statement from Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly about the three-day Auckland lockdown.

Greater Melbourne Area declared a hotspot for Commonwealth support

The Australian Government Chief Medical Officer has declared the Greater Melbourne area a COVID-19 hotspot for the purposes of Commonwealth support.

$7 million for research into neurofibromatosis

The Australian Government is providing $7 million through the Medical Research Future Fund for research into neurofibromatosis.

Medicare Benefits Schedule Electrocardiogram review committee – call for expressions of interest to participate

Clinicians, academics and consumers are invited to express their interest in participating in the MBS ECG Review Committee, which will review changes to MBS ECG items introduced on 1 August 2020 following implementation of recommendations from the MBS Review Taskforce.

COVID-19 vaccine information and resources for aged care providers

New information about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout to residential aged care facilities is now available.

Prime Minister’s update following the National Cabinet meeting on 5 February 2021

Read the Prime Minister’s update following the National Cabinet meeting on 5 February 2021.

Share your views on making mitochondrial donation available in Australia

We invite you to share your views on the proposed approach to making mitochondrial donation available in Australia. The government wants to introduce mitochondrial donation so this lifesaving technology is made available in Australia for some families impacted by severe mitochondrial disease.

10 million additional Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines secured

Australia has secured an extra 10 million doses of the Pzifer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, bringing the total number of doses of this vaccine to 20 million.

Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) updated statement on minimising the potential risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools

An updated statement from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) on on minimising the potential risk of COVID-19 transmission in schools.

$1.9 billion to go towards COVID-19 vaccine rollout

The Prime Minister has outlined plans to deliver Australia's COVID-19 vaccination program this year. Find out more.

New information campaign to encourage Australians to get a COVID-19 vaccine

A campaign to encourage Australians to get the COVID-19 vaccine has begun.

Reminder: Free vaccinations for students in high school

Students in years 7 (year 8 in South Australia) and 10 can receive free vaccinations at school through the National Immunisation Program. Trained and qualified vaccination teams will visit schools to deliver the vaccines throughout the year.

Important changes to the National Cervical Screening Program's Clinical Guidelines pathway for women at intermediate risk

Changes to the NCSP's Guidelines for the clinical management of women at intermediate risk will come into effect from 1 February 2021. This follows the Cancer Council Australia Clinical Guidelines working party review of national data from the renewed program.

TGA provisionally approves Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in Australia

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in Australia.

Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) statement on COVID-19 and influenza vaccination requirements for aged care workers

A statement from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) on COVID-19 and influenza vaccination requirements for aged care workers.

Prime Minister’s update following the National Cabinet meeting on 20 January 2021

Read the Prime Minister’s update following the National Cabinet meeting on 20 January 2021.

COVID-19 vaccine rollout: Primary care participation in Phase 1b–call for expressions of interest from General Practices

Accredited general practices are invited to express their interest in participating in Phase 1b of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program.

New labelling for antibiotics in Australia

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is to be applauded for changing the way pharmacists label the antibiotics they dispense to support best practice antimicrobial prescribing and use.

TGA to give Australians confidence to get the COVID-19 jab

Vaccination is one of the world’s greatest public health achievements, helping to prevent, control and eliminate the spread of deadly diseases – and save the lives of millions of infants, children and adults every year.

$38 million for diabetes and heart disease research

The Medical Research Futures Fund will fund two new research centres to address diabetes and heart disease.

Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) statement on safe air travel – enhancing end-to-end mitigations – international

Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) statement on safe air travel – enhancing end-to-end mitigations – international.

Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) statement on management of COVID-19 variants

From 7 January 2021, additional precautions will be put in place to manage new variants related to COVID-19.

Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) statement on wearing masks on domestic flights

A statement from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) on wearing masks on domestic flights.

Prime Minister’s update following the National Cabinet meeting on 8 January 2021

Read the Prime Minister’s update following the National Cabinet meeting on 8 January 2021.
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