People with disability now eligible for COVID-19 antivirals

Did you know that if you catch COVID-19 you may be able to receive antiviral medication to stop the virus from affecting you more seriously?

Prescribed to you by your doctor as tablets or capsules, if you want to use it, you need to start taking the medication as soon as possible after you develop symptoms of COVID-19.

People with disability may be eligible for antiviral medicine if they are:

• Immunocompromised and over the age of 18
• People who have a wide range of chronic respiratory issues; or
• Adults with disability who have multiple medical conditions.

Even if you’re fully vaccinated, if any of the above circumstances apply to you, COVID-19 can make you very sick and even become life threatening – which is why these treatments are available. The oral antivirals have been taken safely by more than 73,000 Australians to date.

If you want to explore the option of antiviral medication, you should talk to your doctor as soon as possible after you’ve tested positive. They can advise you about whether you should take the medicine and prescribe it for you. They can also electronically send the prescription to a pharmacy.

For more information, click here.