Handy links providing COVID-19 related information specifically for people living with muscular dystrophy and similar conditions.

Please note that Muscular Dystrophy Queensland is unable to provide medical advice and so, we cannot make suggestions about your responses to COVID-19 and vaccinations. We provide the following links as a guide and recommend you discuss your situation with your General Practitioner and/or Specialists.

• Information for people with disability about COVID-19 vaccines – Advice from the Australian Department of Health
• World Muscle Society Advice – Vaccines – latest information for people with neuromuscular conditions regarding vaccinations.
• MDA COVID-19 Resources – information from Muscular Dystrophy USA
• Every Australian Counts – have collated lots of information on their site and includes easy-read and languages other than English guides
• COVID-19 Infection Control Training Course – Published by the Department of Health, this online training resource provides training on the fundamentals of infection prevention and control and will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. You might find it useful for yourself or your disability support workers to complete.
• PPMD COVID-19 Information Centre – this web page is developed for an American audience but has good information focused on people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which may be useful for people in Australia with DMD and others living with similar muscle wasting conditions.
• Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation COVID-19 including  Respiratory Care Recommendations – targeted to people with Myotonic Dystrophy but useful advice for those with other neuromuscular conditions that use non-invasive ventilation or cough assist.

Handy links for NDIS participants:

• NDIS participants who have immediate concerns about not receiving essential support can call:
• • • The NDIA on 1800 800 110, Option 5; or
    • The NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission by phoning 1800 035 544
• NDIS Participant Information – the National Disability Insurance Agency provides good information for NDIS participants with FAQ response style information about; health and safety, managing your plan and advice for providers

Handy links to follow our Government’s response to COVID-19:

For people with a disability that are symptomatic and have trouble accessing their doctor or a fever clinic, alternative testing arrangements will need to be arranged.

In these circumstances, please call 13HEALTH or your local Public Health Unit. For people living in disability accommodation services, it is also important that you advise the clinician of this prior to your test being complete.

The government advice around COVID-19 is constantly changing. For this reason, we prefer to provide links to the government websites which provide updated information:

• Australian Government Department of Health – have developed a health alert hub with comprehensive, up-to-date information about the virus and how to manage it including a Guide for Home Care Providers and information for support workers and carers on COVID-19 testing for people with Disability
• Queensland Health – for the latest information about what is happening in Queensland
• Home Medicine Service – information for consumers accessing medicine at home