The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) welcomes the new Medicare patient rebates that will support GPs to provide counselling to patients hesitant about getting the Covid-19 vaccine.
The new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item allows GPs the time during appointments to talk through any concerns with their patients, to help them make an informed decision around the Covid-19 vaccine.
“We welcome the Federal Government heeding the RACGP’s calls and introducing this new Medicare item – we need this additional support more than ever,” says RACGP President Dr Karen Price.
“We are dealing with increasing vaccine hesitancy right across the country. I’m seeing it in my own practice in Melbourne, almost all my patients have questions about the Covid-19 vaccines.
“The change in ATAGI’s recommendations reinforces the need for this counselling item – last time there was a change, GPs saw cancelled bookings and had to spend much more time talking to patients, and we are now seeing this again.
“With this new Medicare item, GPs like me can do what we do best – we can take the time required to listen to patients’ concerns, answer questions and support them in making an informed decision.
“Patients know and trust their GP, and we are perfectly positioned to counsel patients and build vaccine confidence in the community.”
Dr Price reminds the community that the Covid-19 pandemic is not over and warns against vaccine complacency, the latest outbreaks in Victoria and NSW “stark reminders of what this virus is capable of and how quickly it can spread”.
“To protect the community and for more easing of restrictions, including travel, we need as many people to get vaccinated as possible right away,” says Dr Price.
“Every eligible person has a role to play in combating this pandemic and keeping people safe from harm.
“Until we have vaccinated a large portion of the adult population, we are vulnerable to more outbreaks occurring and lives being lost.”
