ASID and ANZPID respond to release of Govt COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report

“... Given the extensive stakeholder input into the review and importance of the advice to the Australian population, ASID considers all the recommendations should receive bipartisan support...”

— ASID President Professor Joe Doyle

In response to today’s release of the Commonwealth Government COVID -19 Response Inquiry Report, the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) has commended the key recommendations.

We strongly support the immediate recommendation for the permanent establishment of an Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC), a key vehicle that ASID considers critical for enhancing Australia’s response to pandemics and other emerging infectious disease threats.

We also applaud the emphasis on vulnerable groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, children and young people, persons from diverse backgrounds, the homeless, and persons living with a disability. Inclusion of health communication expertise in the CDC is an essential component in bridging the gap between health experts and the community to help build trust in healthcare interventions, including immunisations and novel therapies.

“...We commend key recommendations affecting children and young people, including immediate actions to establish a Chief Paediatrician and include this Chief Paediatrician and the National Children’s Commissioner on the Australian Health Protection Committee...”

— ANZPID Chair Dr Brendan McMullan

ASID’s Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Infectious Diseases group (ANZPID) has also welcomed the key recommendations, particularly the immediate recommendation for permanent establishment of an Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC). ANZPID also welcomes efforts to address critical gaps in health and educational recovery for children and young people, rebuild community trust in vaccines and improve vaccination rates, and monitor and address long term indirect effects of the pandemic, engaging the voices of children and young people and their advocates into the future. We are pleased that the report acknowledges the unique needs of children and the importance of early childhood development, and that early childhood education and care (ECEC) and schools should be classified as essential services.

Reference Information:

1. https://asid.net.au/news/centre-for-disease-control

2. https://asid.net.au/news/asid-submission-into-cdc

3. https://asid.net.au/news/asid-welcomes-the-australian-governments-commitment-to-establish-a-national-centre-for-disease-control-in-australia

4. ASID submission to the Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry

5. ANZPID: Lancet article - Widening the lens for pandemic preparedness: children must be seen and heard

6. ANZPID submission to the Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry

ENDS

Media Contact: Alison Sweeney alison@asid.net.au or 0425 221 155.