At least 1 in 10 infections of COVID-19, lead to Long COVID, a debilitating multi-organ condition which can have devastating impacts on people's lives.

Anyone can get Long Covid, including the young, healthy and vaccinated.

On February 15th, Mark Butler and the Australian Government responded to the recommendations of the Long COVID Inquiry.

 

Below is a summary of the response:

1: COVID-19 Data Collection - Supported in-principle

2: Develop Long COVID definition, diagnosis and treatment guidelines - Supported

3: Long COVID research - Noted

4: Build on COVID-19 vaccination communication strategy - Supported

5: Expand availability of antiviral treatments - Not supported

6: Provide support for those with Long COVID - Noted

7: Develop national indoor air quality standards for Australia - Noted

8: Fund Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) research - Supported in-principle

9: Hold a COVID-19 summit - Supported in-principle

In summary:

• 2 recommendations were supported 
• 3 were supported in-principle
• 3 were noted 
• 1 was not supported

 

The Australian Government acknowledges the significant impact of Long COVID but has failed to take meaningful action.

"This is semblance over substance. It represents the typical response that a government provides when it wants to pretend its listening and engaging but in reality doing very little."

- Glen Ramos, PhD researcher on pandemic management, a public health policy consultant, and a Director of Australian Health Promotion Association, Australian Epidemiological Association, and Public Health Association of Australia (NSW Branch)

"More actions and targeted initiatives are required to match the scale of the current and future burden of long COVID."

- Associate Professor Suman Majumdar, Chief Health Officer – COVID and Health Emergencies; and Deputy Program Director, Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness, Burnet Institute

Our ask has not changed, we are calling on the Minister for Health and Aged Care - Mark Butler MP to urgently implement all of the recommendations of the Australian Long Covid Inquiry.

 

What is Long COVID?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long COVID can present itself in many different ways - some symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Changes in smell or taste
• Chest pain
• Difficulty sleeping
• Anxiety or depression
• Headaches
• Cognitive dysfunction

COVID-19 infection also increases the risk of the following health conditions:

• Heart attacks, strokes or heart inflammation
• Blood clots in the lungs or elsewhere
• Diabetes or worsened control of existing diabetes
• Lung fibrosis or other lung problems
• Kidney damage
• Severe mental health issues

 

Details of the Long COVID Inquiry: 

The Long COVID Inquiry received over 550 submissions from Australian and overseas experts and people living with Long COVID.

The Standing Committee that oversaw the Inquiry included:

Chair - Dr Mike Freelander MP

Deputy Chair - Melissa McIntosh MP

Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah MP

Hon Mark Coulton MP

Dr Gordon Reid MP

Dr Monique Ryan MP

Ms Anne Stanley MP

Ms Kate Thwaites MP

Ms Jenny Ware MP

Mr Graham Perrett MP

Dr Sophie Scamps MP

 

The Committee published their report Sick and tired: Casting a long shadow on 24 April 2023, including nine recommendations.

Full details of the recommendations can be found here

 

What can we do?

Show your support by signing this statement and send an email to your local MP via heymp.com.au/sickandtired, to call on Mark Butler MP to urgently implement all of the recommendations of the Australian Long COVID inquiry to help those currently suffering from Long COVID and to assist in protecting more Australians from contracting COVID-19 and developing Long COVID.

Sources 

• Victorian Department of Health
• World Health Organisation
• Parliament of Australia - Long Covid Inquiry