See our Decision-Making Tool

See our guide

For full updates relating to how the 14-day Victorian circuit-breaker impacts your business, read more here.

Click here to view the Telepractice Guidelines for more information on how this could be implemented in your practice.

Click here for our Decision Making tool as to if and when in-person care can be provided.

Some important information to consider before treating patients following their Covid Vaccination

Vaccine side effects

You may experience minor side effects following vaccination. Most side effects last no more than a couple of days and you will recover without any problems.

Some people will experience more significant flu-like symptoms from the vaccine compared to other common vaccinations and may need time away from normal activities. For the Pfizer (COMIRNATY) vaccine, these symptoms are more common after the second dose. For the AstraZeneca vaccine, these symptoms are more common after the first dose.

What do I need to know about the side effect identified in some people that have had the Astra Zeneca Vaccine?

Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot, which prevents blood flowing normally through the body.

Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which you have a low blood platelet count. Platelets (thrombocytes) are blood cells that help blood clot. Platelets stop bleeding by clumping and forming plugs in blood vessel injuries.

Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) is a rare and new syndrome which has been reported after being given the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. It may be caused by this vaccine. The condition involves blood clots (occurring in body sites like the brain or abdomen) together with low platelet levels.

What should I screen for with patients if they have informed me they have recently had the Astra Zeneca vaccination?

The clotting syndrome that has been linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine is extremely rare, affecting an estimated four to six people for every million people who receive the first dose of the vaccine.

The clotting condition occurs between four and 20 days after the first dose of vaccine.

You may experience some side effects following vaccination. Most side effects last no more than a couple of days and you will recover without any problems.

Common reactions to vaccination include pain, redness and/or swelling where you received the needle, mild fever, headache and flu-like symptoms.

Serious reactions such as allergic reactions are extremely rare.

Use the COVID-19 vaccine side effects symptom checker if you have concerns about any symptoms after your vaccine. The checker is also available through the National Coronavirus Helpline 1800 020 080, 24 hours a day.

Patients should be screened for the following symptoms, and should seek medical attention immediately if they experience any of the following:

* shortness of breath

* chest pain

* swelling in your leg

* persistent abdominal (belly) pain

* neurological symptoms, including severe and persistent headaches or blurred vision

* tiny blood spots under the skin beyond the site of injection.

Refer on to their GP or ED at their local hospital advising that they let staff know that you have recently had the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Patients should be advised to see their doctor or health care professional as soon as possible or go directly to a hospital if they:

* have a reaction they consider severe or unexpected

* are concerned about their condition after vaccination.

Best practice would be to suggest patients consider waiting for 2-days post-vaccination before having a Remedial Massage or Myotherapy treatment as a precautionary measure.

Patients can also be provided with the covid symptom checker if they think they may be experiencing side-effects

If patients haven't had enough time to know if there's a reaction or they're just beginning to feel what may be symptoms, it is recommended to delay treatment.

*information source: The Australian Government | Department of Health

READ OUR POLICY DOCUMENT

Australia’s COVID-19 vaccines will become available in phases. Learn about priority groups and who will receive the first doses of the vaccine.

UPDATE 27 MAY 2021 - COVID UPDATE

From today all Victorians over the age of 40 will be eligible for the COVID vaccine.

For further information, to book an appointment or to see your nearest site see here:
http://ow.ly/RCpZ50EWpQe

• Check your eligibility
• COVID-19 vaccines – priority rollout
• Advice on priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination in Australia
• Why these groups are prioritised
• What this means for you

Commencing 22 March 2021 Myotherapists, as part of Phase 1b of the National vaccine rollout, will be able to receive the Covid-19 vaccination.

The following fact sheet lists the general practices, Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services, and GP-led respiratory clinics where COVID-19 vaccinations will be available to people in phase 1b of the rollout

MA will ensure they keep members informed in relation to when vaccinations are available to them as we understand that each jurisdiction are managing when and how invitations are being sent. You can contact our team on [email protected] with any questions.

ATAGI statement on AstraZeneca vaccine in response to new vaccine safety concerns
A statement from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) on the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in response to new vaccine safety concerns. Read the statement at here.

The actions and information from MA, including any recommendation for businesses, will be driven by the Australian Government Department of Health and the World Health Organization. See the latest links for detailed guidelines from the government :

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

View the most up to date information about the recommendations and correct use of PPE here.

State by State PPE Guidelines are below:

Victoria

New South Wales

South Australia

Northern Territory

Western Australia

Tasmania

Queensland

Australian Capital Territory

The Government is providing free online training on the below:

COVID-19 infection control training

Infection Prevention and Control eLearning Modules

Looking after your mental health during Covid-19 restrictions

Coronavirus information and support for business

We appreciate that these unprecedented events are presenting financial challenges for many members. Members who may experience difficulty committing to membership renewal payments are encouraged to contact our team so that we can discuss what options are available at [email protected]

Federal and State Governments have announced, and are continuing to announce stimulus packages. Stay informed by visiting:

business.gov.au

Assistance For Small Business

In addition to this, the below dedicated JobKeeper hotlines that have been established by the major banks

CBA: 13 26 07

ANZ: 1800 571 123

NAB: 1800 JOBKEEPER

Westpac: Westpac 1300 731 073 / St George 1300 730 196 / Bank of Melbourne 1300 784 873 / Bank SA 1300 669 472

If you have already had to make the tough decision to stand your staff

down, please consider providing them with a letter such as this:

XX/XX/2021

Notice of Stand down of employment during the COVID-19 required shutdown

Dear XXXX,

Due to to the direction from the State and Federal governments, XXXXX will have to close for the foreseeable future.

I am providing you this notice that we are unable to sustain your employment through this time, which puts you in the best position possible to utilise the schemes available from the banks and the government.

Best of luck,

Staff may require this letter for Centrelink benefits. For further info see Fairwork site.

All practicing members are strongly encouraged to carefully evaluate patients lists and provide telepractice (remote consultations) where it is deemed practically appropriate.

Resources for Telehealth can be found in this webinar or in the Telepractice Guidelines.

MA suggests a staged return to business activities, in line with Covid-19 restrictions. An easy-to-follow guide to this plan can be downloaded here.This plan will be updated in accordance with Government advice.

The Victorian government guidance in relation to what is required as part of the COVID-safe plan that all businesses must now have if they fall into category 2 can be found at Creating a covid safe workplace.

You must familiarise yourself with and follow your local Government Public Health Orders in relation to whether or not you can provide in-person care, including best practice hygiene controls and work within your scope of practice, your insurance will cover you. To read more about our Insurance cover with BMS Group, see here.

For those in Stage 4 restricted areas:

Should MA members choose to provide face to face myotherapy care (that does not meet the overarching criteria of endorsed care plan patients only) against the advice of the Association and Government, this may likely result in your insurance being void if a claim is raised against you during the period of which Government restrictions have been imposed.

This action may also come before our ethics committee as a breach of the association codes and may result in the termination of your membership.

You are encouraged to contact your association if you have any questions or are unclear about what restrictions apply to you in your jurisdiction.

No. At this stage, video/remote consultations conducted by myotherapists are not a rebatable private health insurance service.

We encourage you to clearly outline this when obtaining patient financial consent for remote consultations. MA also encourages members to clearly note this on your receipts for example this is not a rebatable private health insurance service.

In the interest of reducing the likelihood of confusion for patients receiving remote consultations, we strongly recommend providers remove their provider number from these receipts.

Decisions by government regarding video/remote consultations are rapidly evolving. We are in regular contact with the private health insurers to ask them to reconsider whether they will pay rebates for remote consultations.

Recognising that this is a difficult time for our members, MA want to remind members that it is important that you practice self-care and reach out if you are experiencing challenges in managing your mental health throughout these and other times. View mental health helplines here.