GPs without practice accreditation excluded from COVID-19 vaccine roll-out

The federal government has called on general practices and pharmacies to help administer COVID-19 vaccines - but GPs without practice accreditation have been excluded from the roll-out. Some doctors say this is a shift from existing protocols on immunisations and could leave millions of patients without easy access to the vaccine.

Australian Medical Association vice president Dr Chris Moy says this year’s flu is worse because it’s the first time Australians have faced it in three years. Source: SBS

Under the federal government's COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan, only accredited practices are eligible to participate in the scheme.

General Practice accreditation is a voluntary process.

Practices that apply for it are assessed against standards set by the Royal Australian College of GPs.

16 per cent - or roughly 1,300 - practices are NOT accredited in Australia.

The Australian Medical Association says it doesn't make sense that pharmacies have been invited to participate in the rollout from phase 2 but medical practices without accreditation are NOT.