The Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for Health and Aged Care
The Albanese Government today launched a new advertising campaign to encourage eligible Australians to access life-saving COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments.
The new antiviral treatments are available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme with eligibility now opened up to include more people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID‑19.
Those who can now receive Government subsidised COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments include:
- people aged 70 years and over
- people 50 years and over with two risk factors
- First Nations people 30 years and over with two risk factors, and
- immunocompromised people 18 years and older.
The public health information campaign will encourage people who are at higher risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19 to have early discussions with their GP or nurse practitioner about whether an oral antiviral treatment suits their health needs.
It's critical to have a COVID-19 plan and timing is critical for oral antiviral treatments.
Advertising will appear nationally on television, radio and digital video channels, and will be adapted and translated for multicultural and First Nations audiences.
The new Australian Government campaign will commence today.
