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Phase 1B of the COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Begins

Office of the Chief Minister

Senior Territorians, Aboriginal people and health care and emergency workers will begin receiving their COVID-19 vaccines as the rollout continues across the Territory.

Eligible Territorians among the Phase 1B cohort include people over the age of 70, adults with specified underlying medical conditions, remaining health care workers, critical and high risk workers such as police, fire, emergency services and meat processing workers. Phase 1B also marks the start of the vaccination program for Aboriginal adults. 

This week, 10 GPs and three respiratory clinics will begin administering the vaccine as part of Phase 1B. Thirteen Aboriginal community health organisations will also begin providing the vaccine across the NT in the coming weeks. This will occur in a staged approach, with some services starting earlier than others.

In addition to its hospital hubs in Darwin and Alice Springs, NT Health will establish community vaccine clinics in Tennant Creek, Katherine and Gove where GP clinics have not indicated their capacity to deliver the vaccination program as part of Phase 1B. Planning for how this will be managed is underway to make sure all eligible Territorians have access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

NT Health will also be administering the vaccine in Aboriginal communities where it is the primary health care provider, and is working closely with its Aboriginal health partners and community leaders to plan for the vaccine rollout and how this can be done to best meet local needs.

So far, NT Health has administered 5083 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. This includes 467 Territorians who have received their second dose and are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  Vaccinating those frontline workers most at risk, as part of Phase 1A remains the priority for NT Health.  

People are encouraged to check the Australian Government’s eligibility checker to find out where they can get their vaccination when it’s their turn.

People eligible for Phase1B can call approved GP clinics or their Aboriginal health clinics to book an appointment.

Participating NT GP Clinics include: Bakewell Medical, Arafura Medical Casuarina, Arafura Medical Humpty Doo, Top End Medical in Palmerston, Leanyer Medical, Territory Medical in Nightcliff, Pandanus Medical in Millner, Cavanagh Medical in Darwin, Bath Street Medical in Alice Springs, Mall Medical in Alice Springs, Palmerston GP Super Clinic Respiratory Clinic, Congress Respiratory Clinic in Alice Springs and Central Clinic Respiratory Clinic in Alice Springs.

 

Quotes from Chief Minister, Michael Gunner:

“The Territory Labor Government has saved lives and saved jobs during the coronavirus crisis.

“We’ve protected all Territorians by making sure our most at-risk of exposure frontline staff are vaccinated as part of the first phase of the rollout, which remains on track.

“As we move into the next phase of the rollout, we are providing an extra layer of protection to the community, and ensuring we are on track as Australia’s comeback capital.

 

Quotes from Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:

“The vaccine is safe, effective and it has been rigorously tested. To ensure we return to what life was like before the pandemic, the vaccine is the way forward.

“Most Territorians will receive their vaccines from the middle of the year, but I encourage everyone to roll up your sleeves when it is your turn.”

 

Quotes from Lead of the Territory’s COVID-19 rollout, Michelle McKay:

“Our dedicated vaccination teams have been working incredibly hard over the last four weeks to keep Territorians safe.

“We are continuing to make sure our highest risk frontline workers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but now as we move into Phase 1B even more Territorians are eligible to receive the vaccine.”

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