If you have or suspect you have COVID-19

If you receive a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 infection you should:

• Follow the standard self-isolation advice.
• Follow the advice of the diagnosing doctor or healthcare facility.
• Seek the advice of your neurologist/MS specialist healthcare team as soon as possible regarding any changes needed to your MS treatment and other medicines. Advising your MS specialist healthcare team also helps them to gather as much information as possible about COVID-19 and MS.

Whilst vaccination remains the best protection against COVID-19, the Australian Government continues to ensure that Australians have early access to safe and effective treatments as they are approved for use by the medical experts. This includes the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) provisional approval of the first oral anti-viral treatments for COVID-19 in Australia, Lagevrio® (molnupiravir) and Paxlovid® (nirmatrelvir + ritonavir). These are prescription-only medicines for people who have a high risk of developing severe COVID-19 disease and must be started as soon as possible after a diagnosis of COVID-19. If you are diagnosed as COVID-19 positive, you should immediately notify your GP and your treating neurologist/MS healthcare team to determine if you meet the criteria for treatment with these medications.

Commencing 11 July 2022, the eligibility criteria for these COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments have been expanded. See here for more information:

• Fact sheet – Paxlovid®
• Fact sheet – Lagevrio®
• Fact sheet – Changes to PBS eligibility for COVID-19 treatments

This helpline provides information and referrals for people with disability who need support because of COVID-19. The Helpline can also assist families, carers, support workers and services.

Disability Information Helpline: 1800 643 787.

The Helpline is available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm (AEST) and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 7pm (AEST) and is closed on national public holidays.