28 January 2022

The Territory Labor Government continues to strengthen its COVID-19 response and has today announced that the existing mandatory vaccination policy for workers in public facing roles will be extended to include the booster vaccination.  

To reduce the spread of COVID-19 and serious illness during the current outbreak, the new CHO Direction outlines two deadlines for workers to receive their booster vaccination.

The first deadline is Friday 11 March, and this applies to workers in the following designated high-risk workplaces:

• Hospitals and healthcare facilities;
• Residential aged care facilities;
• Disability residential facilities;
• Correctional and detention facilities; and
• Renal hostels, family violence shelters, homeless shelters and sobering up shelters.

The second deadline is Friday 22 April, and this applies to the remainder of Territory workers who are required to be fully vaccinated.

As a reminder, you are required to be fully vaccinated if in the course of your work:

• You come into contact with vulnerable people;
• Your workplace poses a high risk of infection; or
• You perform work that is necessary for the operation or maintenance of essential infrastructure or logistics in the Territory.

To be eligible to work in the Territory, all workers covered by the above direction had to have received two vaccination doses by 24 December 2021. The 22 April deadline for the booster ensures everyone will become eligible for the booster before this deadline.

Booster vaccinations are available from NT Vaccination Centres, Aboriginal Health Clinics, Respiratory Clinics and participating GP Clinics and pharmacies.

For more information, and to book your vaccination, please visit: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/stay-safe/booking-your-covid-19-vaccine.

Quotes from Chief Minister Michael Gunner:

“We knew the Omicron wave would spread quickly and aggressively. We also knew that fully vaccinated Territorians would be the best protected – and they are. That is why we worked so hard to achieve such a high vaccination rate across the Territory.

“Two doses of the vaccine has given tens of thousands of Territorians excellent protection against severe illness – the booster shot makes sure that protection is stronger, and lasts longer.

“If you are eligible now, please don’t wait. Book in, boost up and give yourself and your loved ones the best shot at protection from serious illness.” 

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom

Michael Gunner
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory