Rapid Antigen Tests to be made available for free for low-income earners

Rapid Antigen Tests have been in-demand for quite some time now. Just recently, the prime minister announced that a rapid antigen test will be enough to check your positive or negative coronavirus results. As a result, many have flocked to stores to secure rapid antigen tests which caused stocks to lessen. 

Rapid Antigen Test availability

The stock of rapid antigen tests not being fully available to everyone causes a bit of panic. Now, the Omicron variant has been shown to be less severe but it is very contagious and therefore spreads very quickly. So, the tests will allow labs to take the pressure off a little bit.

However, things have gotten a little out of hand. This is a result of bulk buying. This has evidently caused some problems as many others were now unable to purchase a rapid antigen test. Not accessing this meant putting their lives on hold regardless of their coronavirus status. 

Presently, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said that pharmacies will be reimbursed for all the rapid antigen tests they have sold to pensioners and the like. He added that the antigen tests should be made freely available to everyone as things have gotten quite chaotic since tests could be used or have been approved to check your positive or negative status. 

Pharmacies to be reimbursed for tests sold to pensioners

Now, instead of pharmacies getting the stock on these rapid tests themselves, the government would take on this responsibility. This will cancel out all the competition to get RAT kits for different pharmacies.   

While this is still in the works, Prime Minister Morrison has relayed that pharmacies will receive reimbursements within a month. During this time, people are encouraged to only take a rapid antigen test if they are feeling unwell. Taking one just for the sake of it will increase the pressure on getting more supply of rapid antigen tests. 

According to abc.net.au, pensioners, veterans, and low-income earners are the group identified for this. They are allowed to have 10 antigen tests within three months. A maximum of five tests are allowed within one month. 

So, the tests are still very rare to get at the moment but a plan is in motion to tackle the shortage.