News

As COVID-19 testing in Australia moves quickly to include rapid antigen tests (RATs), Barwon Health Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) are working to ensure our regions’ most vulnerable kids have support to minimise barriers to COVID-19 testing.

With COVID-19 cases quickly increasing across the country, rapid antigen tests (or RATs) are now being used to provide quick and effective testing.

To ensure the parents of vulnerable children can access testing, disability liaison officers, in partnership with the Department of Health, are providing access to RATs, combined with face-to-face training, to ensure parents have the knowledge and confidence they need to support their children with COVID-19 testing at home.

This education and supply will be provided at the Special Access Vaccination Clinic in Belmont as children receive their COVID-19 vaccination.

Dr Therese Clark, a clinical neuropsychologist with Barwon Health’s Disability Liaison Unit, says their team is there to provide support and guidance to ensure children with a disability  get vaccinated and parents receive testing support in the right setting that is best for them.

“Our team are here to support families through the vaccination process. It is the perfect opportunity to give parents confidence in how to correctly test their children with a RAT,” she said.

“Some of these children have a number of health conditions, making them more vulnerable to COVID-19, so providing access to a test at home is really important.”

All parents of children with a disability aged 5-11 years can now book a COVID-19 vaccination.

For children with special needs, please contact Barwon Health's Disability Liaison Office who can assist you with your child's vaccination options on 0434 856 014 or [email protected]

PHOTO: courtesy of Geelong Advertiser.