Almost one in five suffering from long COVID
Almost one in five Australians who have tested positive for COVID, experience symptoms of long COVID, new research shows. An Australian National University (ANU) study of more than 11,000 Australians who tested positive to COVID-19 in 2022 shows almost one in five were still experiencing ongoing symptoms three months after their initial diagnosis. The study […]
Australia’s long COVID response lagging, study finds
Australia’s long COVID response is falling short of international standards and needs an urgent overhaul, a new study has warned. The RMIT University and Northern Health research examined the country’s long COVID services, guidelines, and public health information, compared to international standards, finding Australia is lacking in several categories. These include early investigation, accessibility and […]
Monovalent vs Bivalent Vaccines for COVID-19
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has advised the Australian Government regarding the use of new monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccines for eligible recipients. The new monovalent vaccines will be available from 11 December 2023, coinciding with the expected rise in COVID-19 cases over the holiday period. With a relatively large number of people with […]
Evidence Brief: The World Health Organization’s Statement on the antigen composition of COVID-19 vaccines
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) assesses how the SARS-CoV-2 virus’ evolution might impact on COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition and advises the WHO on whether changes are needed to the antigen composition of future COVID-19 vaccines. This helps vaccine developers and decision makers decide on how to commit […]
Evidence Brief: Omicron Subvariant Arcturus
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16 (‘Arcturus’) was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on 9 January 2023. It was designated as a ‘variant under monitoring’ on 2 March 2023.1 Following sustained increases in reported cases, on 17 April 2023, the WHO designated Arcturus as a ‘variant of interest’ (VOI). The variant has been […]
New COVID-19 leave grants to support aged care workers
New Aged Care Worker COVID-19 leave grants will be available from 1 April to support permanent or casual aged care workers caring for older Australians most at risk of severe illness, the federal government has announced. Workers will be able to receive a payment of up to $750 directly from their employer when they are […]
Nursing ethics: Lessons from a global pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a time of moral reckoning, says independent scholar and nurse ethicist Dr Megan-Jane Johnstone AO. “Primarily because it has called into question the taken-for-granted values, norms and role expectations of society and the adequacy of accepted professional ethical frameworks for guiding just (fair) decision-making and behaviours during a pandemic.” In […]
Rollout of fifth COVID-19 booster shot on way for Australian adults
All adults who have not had a COVID-19 booster or a confirmed case in the past six months will be able to get another booster to give them additional protection against severe illness from COVID, as advised by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). The recommendation for additional boosters comes into effect on […]
Australian researchers create anti-COVID cleaning spray
A long lasting surface spray that has the potential to kill viruses such as COVID-19 is currently being assessed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for commercial cleaning use including in hospitals. The spray contains a protein that allows it to stick to surfaces and remain effective for 24 hours. University of Queensland (UQ) researchers […]
How a nurse practitioner shifted to telehealth amid COVID-19
Before COVID-19 hit, Paediatric Nurse Practitioner Stephanie Dowden pondered implementing telehealth at her Perth-based clinic but ultimately considered it too costly and unviable. When the pandemic arrived, the goalposts suddenly changed. Speaking at the 2022 Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) National Conference, Stephanie shared her experience with adopting telehealth and its benefits and challenges. […]