The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recommended a third primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine for severely immunocompromised populations.
Assessment of suitability for these third doses are eligible for MBS reimbursement with the same rules as suitability assessments for second doses. The same second dose MBS items should be used, including when a GP performs a suitability assessment for a patient and determines they are not suitable for a third vaccination dose.
In-depth patient assessments items 10660/10661 may also be claimed (eligible once per patient’s lifetime) if all other eligibility requirements are met.
The additional PIP payment is not claimable for a third dose. It remains payable only when the first and second vaccine doses are administered under the same general practice.
Please note: MBS items 93644, 93645, 93646, 93647, 93653, 93654, 93655 and 93656 are available to assess patients’ suitability for a third dose in severely immunocompromised populations to address suboptimal or non-response to the standard two-dose schedule.
A list of identified conditions can be found in the relevant ATAGI statement.
Download COVID-19 Temporary MBS Telehealth Services factsheet