Consensus Statement on COVID-19 Vaccination for Adults Living with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
The CRE-PF COVID-19 Working Group is strongly supportive of the Australian Government rollout of Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved COVID-19 vaccines.
This includes support of COVID-19 vaccination for adults living with interstitial lung disease who may be immunocompromised. All COVID-19 vaccinations approved for use in Australia are effective in reducing rates of COVID-19-related infection, hospitalisation and risk of severe disease.
People living with interstitial lung disease should speak to their treating healthcare team if they have concerns about their specific health circumstances.
Vaccine helpful links
COVID-19 Health Professional Webinar Series
Lung Foundation Australia, supported by an independent educational grant from Boehringer Ingelheim, presents the COVID-19 webinar series featuring our Chairperson, Professor Christine Jenkins AM. These two, 60-minute live webinars, provide updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia and what we have learned so far from other countries, and on the front lines.
COVID-19 in patients with chronic respiratory diseases
In the first webinar, held in April, Professor Jenkins AM discussed COVID-19 in Australia and what to be aware of when managing patients with chronic lung disease.
The presentation included a Q&A session that was moderated by Dr Brad McKay.
COVID-19 – What happens next?
Professor Jenkins AM was joined by Associate Professor Lucy Morgan and Dr Kerry Hancock, in the second webinar of this series. In this session, the speakers shared their learnings from the front line and their own clinical experience with COVID-19.
The presentation included a Q&A session.
The new frontier: Post-acute and long COVID care
In this webinar, speakers Prof Peter Wark, Prof Megan Rees and Dr Andrew Knight soake about post-acute and long COVID:
- Clinical practice guidelines for post-acute COVID-19
- Updates from the Australian COVID-19 Taskforce
- Support for the primary care community in managing long COVID
Get the latest COVID-19 news
National Health Plan
Interpreting and Translated Resources
- Interpreting Service for Private Medical Practitioners
- Interpreting Service for Pharmacies
- Prescriptions via Telehealth
- COVID 19 Translated Resources
Infection Control training
- Environmental cleaning and disinfection principles for COVID-19
- COVID-19 infection control training module
Patient Resources
- What you need to know about COVID19 for general public
- COVID 19 Translated Resources
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for the general public
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
Primary Care Resources
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Resources:
The RACGP has developed a number of resources to support GPs and the general practice team during COVID-19. These resources include guidance on setting up and conducting telehealth consultations, infection control principles, information for patients, supports for GPs providing care for ongoing health issues and advocacy resource
- COVID 19 Information for GPs
- RACGP: Managing Patients who present with respiratory symptoms
- Keeping Your Practice COVID Safe
- Infection Control
- Recommendations for healthcare teams supporting prevention and management of COVID-19 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACCRM) Resources:
ACRRM is committed to supporting and providing up-to-date information for members regarding COVID-19.
Australian Primary Healthcare Nurses Association (APNA) Resources:
APNA is the peak professional body for nurses working in primary health care and has developed COVID19 resources and information for its members.
Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Resources:
CAN is a professional nursing association advocating for nurse leadership; health system redesign and education. It has a developed COVID 19 strategy with accompanying resources to support nurses.
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Resources:
As the peak national professional pharmacy organisation representing all pharmacists working in all sectors PSA has developed a number of supporting resources on COIVID 19 for its members.
Useful resources for primary care
Primary Care Package – Practice Incentive Payments – Incentive payments for general practices as they support patients during COVID 19.
New Telehealth items – Telehealth item numbers have been introduced to maintain continuity of clinical management during COVID 19.
Advice on distribution of PPE through Primary Health Networks – Advice on distribution of PPE protocols will vary amongst PHNs and important to contact your local PHN in your catchment.
Mental Health Resources
A number of mental health organisations have developed COVID 19 specific resources and services to support clinical management.
Mental Health for Health Workforce Resources: