The Northern Territory has started rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine in Darwin schools, with students at one school already rolling up their sleeves.
Senior students are being prioritised for the vaccine to ensure they’re not disrupted during their exams in the final weeks of term four.
Middle school students will begin receiving their first dose next month after all children aged 12 or older became eligible for the Pfizer vaccine in late August.
Health Minister Natasha Fyles encouraged younger Territorians to get the jab, saying the Delta variant was seeping out of NSW and Victoria.
“There are plenty of appointments available, our teams will be in schools, they’ll be out in the bush, so now is the time to get vaccinated,” she told reporters on Monday.
Year 12 student Mikey Coleman says he and his fellow students were excited and keen to get the jab.
“It’ll be really helpful for the Year 12s doing their exams next term and with us vaccinated hopefully we’ll be able to attend school if we do go into lockdown,” he said.
“Also for any students wanting to go to university next year down south, being vaccinated will allow them to be able to travel.”
Like other school-based immunisation programs, parental consent is required.
Students will not be vaccinated unless a signed consent form is returned to school.
More than 70 per cent of Territorians have received their first COVID-19 dose and more than 50 per cent are fully vaccinated.