Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au

Aaron Bunch
Second COVID vaccine jabs start in NT

Frontline health, border and quarantine workers have started receiving their second COVID-19 vaccine doses in the Northern Territory.

March 16, 2021

Northern Territory frontline health, border and quarantine workers have begun receiving their second COVID-19 vaccine doses.

Two shots of the Pfizer vaccine administered about three weeks apart are needed to ensure the best protection against the virus.

Occupational therapist Erica Bleakley said receiving her second vaccine jab at Royal Darwin Hospital felt like she was “closing a loop”.

“I do feel safer, particularly in terms of the work we do at Howard Springs (quarantine facility),” she told reporters on Tuesday.

“It’s nice to know our level of risk is reduced. It’s an extra layer of protection for workers.”

About 4300 Territorians frontline workers and disability and aged care residents and staff have received their first inoculation under Phase 1a of the rollout.

“We’re on track rolling out the vaccine program,” Health Minister Natasha Fyles said.

The vaccination program is also under way at Alice Springs, Katherine, Tennant Creek and the Howard Springs facility.

Phase 1b is on track to begin next week and includes health workers not initially inoculated.

Others to be vaccinated include police, firefighters, emergency workers, defence personnel.

Territorians aged 70 and over, Indigenous Australians, meat processing workers and young adults with medical conditions or a disability will also receive the jab.

Most Territorians are expected to be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca in the second half of the year.

Asked about federal government claims the AstraZeneca vaccine delivery to the NT had been delayed because the government failed to place an order for it, Ms Fyles said.

“It wasn’t a matter of forgetting to order the vaccine or an administrative error,” she said.

“The Commonwealth offered it to the NT and we indicated yes we would take it but as we worked through those details we didn’t need the vaccine”.

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