Frontline health care and quarantine workers are receiving their first vaccination against COVID-19 at Royal Darwin Hospital.
The vaccine rollout has officially kick-started the Territory’s COVID-19 immunisation program in response to the global pandemic, as part of the Commonwealth’s phased approach.
It’s anticipated that NT Health staff will provide about 800 vaccinations in the next week.
“The COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in the Territory – and it is safe, effective and free,” said Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles.
“The rollout will start providing protection for our frontline staff, who have the most risk of exposure, and our most vulnerable Territorians.”
She said every vaccine delivered in Australia had to be rigorously tested and approved by experts first – so they were all safe and effective.
“Australia has a proud history of successfully delivering vaccination programs, which have kept our families and communities safe and healthy.”
Under Phase 1A, the Northern Territory Government will vaccinate quarantine and border control workers, and hospital and health care workers in high-risk environments.
The Commonwealth Government will be responsible for vaccinating aged care and disability residents and staff.
Minister Fyles said around 4,500 Territorians will be vaccinated by the end of Phase 1A.
“Territorians have done such a great job in staying safe, and now the vaccinations have begun, we mustn’t become complacent,” she said.
“Most Territorians will receive their doses in the second half of the year.”
The Pfizer vaccine will be administered as part of Phase 1A and requires two doses, 21 days apart, to be effective against the virus.
It’s anticipated that Phase 1B will begin late next month.
Under Phase 1B, all other health care workers, elderly Territorians over the age of 70, Indigenous Territorians over the age of 55, other critical and high-risk workers including defence, police, fire, emergency services and meat processing workers, and younger adults with disabilities and underlying medical conditions will be vaccinated.
“The vaccine is safe, effective and free – it has passed a rigorous approvals process including assessment of its safety, quality and effectiveness over many weeks, by Australian and international experts,” said Lead for the Territory’s COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout, Michelle McKay.
“The Territory’s COVID-19 vaccination team has put in a lot of hard work to prepare for today, and we are ready to start rolling out the vaccine across the NT, starting with our frontline staff,” she said.
“Our frontline and quarantine staff have worked so hard to protect Territorians through the pandemic, and now we can provide extra protection against COVID-19 to them.”
