Paxlovid and Molnupiravir — two oral antivirals for COVID-19 infection — are effective in preventing severe disease, hospitalisation and death.
On 1st April, the federal government expanded the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) eligibility criteria to subsidised COVID-19 antiviral treatments as below.
70 years of age or older, regardless of risk factors and with or without symptoms.
60 years of age or older with at least one risk factor
living in residential aged care
living with disability with multiple conditions and/or frailty
neurological conditions like stroke or dementia and demyelinating conditions e.g. multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome
chronic respiratory conditions including COPD, moderate or severe asthma
obesity or diabetes (type I or II requiring medication)
heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies
kidney failure or liver cirrhosis
living remotely with reduced access to higher level healthcare
past COVID-19 infection episode resulting in hospitalisation.