COVID-19 information

COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available to the Australian population. You can learn more about timelines and eligibility on the Department of Health website.

LINK: Department of Health website.

Vaccine eligbility

The Department of Health has made a vaccine eligibility checker available.

LINK: Vaccine Eligibility Checker – HealthDirect

Information on Phase 1B eligibility for vaccination was made available directly from the Department of Health on 17 March 2021 and is shown below. It is recommended that you check with your healthcare professional for the best advice relating to your condition.

Phase 1B: Underlying Medical Conditions

Chronic inflammatory conditions on medical treatments
Including: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and similar who are being treated with Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or immune-suppressive or immunomodulatory therapies. Generally not inclusive of people living with osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome or similar non-immunocompromising inflammatory conditions.

Proof of eligibility – underlying medical conditions

• For individuals attending their usual GP, the clinic’s records may be relied upon as evidence
• MyHealth Record
• A referral from GP or treating specialist
• Alternative medical records, including:
  • a printout of your medical history as recorded in your clinical records;
  • a printout of your chronic disease care plan; a discharge summary from a hospital or other medical facility; or
  • a valid script or medication prescribed to treat one or more of the relevant medical conditions
• Where none of these are available, individuals may complete a Phase 1B Declaration Form

Updates from GESA

The Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) has released information on COVID-19 vaccination for people with gastrointestinal conditions (including Crohn’s and colitis) or liver diseases on immunosuppressive therapy which comments on safety and effectiveness.

LINK: Updated COVID Vaccination Information for Patients – GESA

CCA will continue to communicate up-to-date information regarding vaccines, particularly any impacts relating to people living with IBD.

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About COVID-19

The respiratory illness COVID-19 (known generally as Coronavirus) is a virus that is the subject of a health alert in Australia, and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people will recover easily, and others may get very sick very quickly. People with coronavirus may experience:

• fever
• flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue
• shortness of breath

Government support – Telehealth

Initial Primary Care announcement
(March 2020)
The Federal Government has announced a range of initiatives to support Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic including funding to allow doctors, nurses and mental health professionals to deliver services via telehealth to people with chronic diseases or who are immunocompromised.
LINK: Fact Sheet: Primary Care – Bulk Billed MBS Telehealth Services -March 2020

Telehealth update
(July 2020)
In a major boost for primary health care, the Australian Government is further strengthening telehealth arrangements as recommended by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and other medical experts.
LINK: Media release – Continuous care with telehealth stage seven – July 2020

Permanent telehealth services from January 2022
(December 2021)
The Australian Government is investing $106 million over 4 years to support permanent telehealth services. This will allow GPs, specialists, and allied health professionals to continue consulting with their patients by phone or online.
LINK: Permanent telehealth for all Australians – December 2021

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What does COVID-19 mean for people living with IBD?

Advice from GESA

The Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) has provided information for people with gastrointestinal disorders. Click here to read the recommendations from GESA (published March 2020).

Immunosuppressed people

While immunosuppressed people are not at a greater risk of acquiring COVID-19 than the general population, it may have an impact on their ability to recover should they contract the virus.

Those who are on immunosuppressive medication [azathioprine, mercaptopurine, methotrexate, prednisolone, infliximab (Remicade, Inflectra), adalimumab (Humira), ustekinumab (Stelara), golimumab (Simponi), vedolizumab (Entyvio)] should make sure they follow all the measures to prevent person-to-person spread with:

• Social distancing (1.5m)
• Handwashing with soap and water, or alcohol based gels
• Avoidance of crowded areas
• Good basic hygiene- avoid touching your face and nose

If this is you, please also think about whether you can take additional measures to reduce contact with others, such as working from home where you can, or self-isolate in organisations that have large groups of people.

It is important to protect yourself against other common respiratory infections. Therefore, it is recommended that all patients with reduced immunity have the Influenza Vaccine (flu-shot) as soon as it is available.

IBD medications

There are no shortages of medication to treat IBD as a result of COVID-19 related demand at the moment. Some community pharmacies and hospitals are experiencing delays of a few days for delivery of some medications.

The government has restricted pharmacists to dispensing a one month supply for some medications, as a precautionary measure. This includes some pain relief and gastroenterological medications. For more information go to: https://www.tga.gov.au/media-release/covid-19-limits-dispensing-and-sales-pharmacies

People with IBD should be eligible for free delivery of medications once per month. For more information speak to your local pharmacy or visit: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/covid-19-national-health-plan-home-medicines-services-information-for-consumers

IBD medicine restriction criteria lifted
PBS restriction criteria for some IBD medicines have been lifted to avoid medical appointments during COVID-19 pandemic. Prescribers can apply for an exemption for some medicines if a patient has had them prescribed before. Some biologic medicines used to treat IBD are included. For a full list of medicines and further details, visit: http://www.pbs.gov.au/info/news/2020/05/pharmaceutical-benefits-scheme-restriction-requirement

Children

GESA has provided advice on safe return to school for children with IBD. The detailed reasoning and some useful FAQs are provided here.

GESA has also previously provided advice to gastroenterologists on IBD management in children and young people:

• Recognition that age is a major risk factor for COVID-19 outcomes, but to be cautious about this as new information is collected
• Postponement of all non-urgent endoscopy procedures and guidance on safe endoscopy practices for urgent cases
• Using temporary MBS funded telehealth consultations where appropriate
• The need for patients to continue treatment unless a change is agreed with their IBD team

Mental health support

Beyond Blue have set up a resource page to help people manage their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. View their advice here.

The Australian Psychological Society has also provided tips on coping with COVID-19 related anxiety. Read those tips here.

Smoking cessation

Smoking can worsen IBD and according to the WHO it can increase your risk of COVID-19 infection and serious lung conditions such as pneumonia, see why here.

If you need support to stop smoking, visit QUIT.

COVID-19 worldwide data

A consortium of international IBD research organisations established a worldwide database to rapidly define the impact of COVID-19 on patients with IBD and how factors such as age, comorbidities, and IBD treatments impact COVID-19 outcomes. GPs and gastroenterologists added case reports to the database as soon as the diagnosis is made.

As at 25 January 2022, only 47 COVID-19 cases had been reported in Australia among those living with a diagnosed IBD since the beginning of the pandemic. There had been 7,038 cases reported worldwide. The database is now closed and information is available at: https://covidibd.org/

CCA support groups

Some of our support groups are still running, depending on location, while many are also meeting online. For the latest information please click here or call 1800 138 029.

Toilet access

As a result of COVID-19 restrictions, some council areas around Austraila may close various public toilet locations. Before commencing any necessary travel, we recommend contacting the local council in that area to check on open locations.

The National Public Toilet Map can be found here.

Toilet paper supply

CCA understand that some of our members are experiencing difficulties in purchasing toilet paper. This can be a stressful predicament for someone living with IBD.

In March 2020, we were pleased to see Woolworths take action to support people living with Crohn’s and Colitis who are taking immunosuppressive medication or are required to self isolate. For more information, visit this link.

A huge thank you to the team at Quilton who have generously donated 6,000 rolls of toilet paper to CCA to distribute to members who are most in need, as part of the Quilton 1 Million Rolls donation initiative.

Proudly supported by Roche Australia

Find support

For guidance regarding your IBD, Crohn’s & Colitis Australia continues to operate its support services:

• Crohn’s & Colitis Helpline: for individual help, information and guidance on Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
  Call 1800 138 029 (option 1).
• Crohn’s & Colitis NurseLine: To book an appointment to speak with a Registered Nurse with specialised knowledge of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (an IBD Nurse) who can help you with education, support and help you build your own personalised care plan.
  Call 1800 138 029 (option 2)

For advice specific to your condition, it is always strongly recommended you speak with your treating specialist or GP.