Covid-19 new measure as more Aussies eligible for Paxlovid antiviral drug
Australia’s health minister unveils new COVID-19 measures as cases rise again: ‘This isn’t over yet’
- New Covid-19 measure announced
- Rise in cases expected this year
The federal health minister has unveiled a new measure to combat Covid-19, warning that the pandemic is “not over yet”.
Mark Butler announced that about 160,000 Australians aged between 60 and 69 will be eligible for the antiviral drug Paxlovid from Saturday.
It comes amid warnings of a new wave of Covid-19 infections, with health authorities bracing for an increase in cases.
Federal Health Minister has unveiled a new measure to combat Covid-19, warning the pandemic is ‘not over’
“This isn’t over yet,” Mr. Butler said. “There will be future waves of Covid over the course of this year.”
Residents between the ages of 60 and 69 with only one risk factor for serious illness can now access Paxlovid.
Previously, people in the age group required two risk factors for treatment under the PBS.
Paxlovid is an antiviral drug developed and manufactured by New York City-based pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.
It is intended for use by people who are seriously ill from their infection or who have comorbidities that put them at risk for serious complications caused by the virus.
“We know how effective Paxlovid and Molnupiravir — two oral antivirals — are in preventing serious illness and hospitalization and death,” Butler said.
“This will really make a difference to the experience of many tens of thousands of people over sixty and the hospital system will also come under real pressure.”
The government has also stepped up efforts to increase winter booster rates.
The latest figures show that one million people have received booster doses by 2023, with seven in ten being over the age of 60.
Starting this weekend, a new ad campaign will be rolling out in an effort to boost the booster rate.
Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said increasing booster levels were critical before predicting new waves of the virus in the coming months.
“(The most recent wave) was the first wave that we’ve had more than one circulating virus and that so-called soup of viruses was new and makes it harder to predict what’s going to happen in the next wave or even the timing of the next golf,” he said in Canberra on Thursday.
Mark Butler announced that about 160,000 Australians aged between 60 and 69 will be eligible for the antiviral drug Paxlovid from Saturday
“We will see more waves. We currently have a ripple, or is it going to be a wave… it’s hard to predict at the moment, but there has definitely been an increase in numbers over the past few weeks.”
In a new report on the fourth Omicron wave, the latest COVID wave, Professor Kelly said that while it was less severe than previous peaks, it lasted longer.
The last wave lasted 19 weeks and peaked at seven weeks, compared to the last winter wave which lasted 12 weeks.
Prof Kelly said community vigilance was still needed.
“People are over COVID, I’m sure about COVID, but it’s still there. We cannot ignore the fact that there is COVID circulating in the community,” he said.
“We’re moving quickly to a time where we’re actually really focusing on those (COVID) messages for those higher-risk individuals, rather than the general population.”