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NSW COVID-19 Update: First dose vaccine deadline for disability workers extended to 19 September
6/09/2021
What you need to know
- The time for disability support workers living or working in LGAs of concern to have had one dose of COVID-19 vaccine has been extended to 19 September
- From Thursday 9 September, disability workers who have not had their first dose (and do not have a medical exemption) can only attend work if they have an appointment to receive a vaccine on or before 19 September. Workers must carry evidence of this appointment.
- These requirements apply to relevant workers delivering disability supports in person to people with disability
NSW Health has extended the deadline for disability and other authorised workers to be vaccinated.
From 9 September, any relevant care workers including disability workers, living or working in an LGA of concern, who have not yet had one dose of COVID-19 vaccine will only be able to attend work if they have booked a vaccination appointment for on or before 19 September 2021.
Workers will need to carry evidence that they have an appointment and produce it upon request to a police officer, their employer, the occupier of the premises and/or an authorised officer.
Medical exemptions and travel permits
Where a COVID vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons, workers will need to carry a COVID-19 Vaccine Medical Contraindication Certificate issued by a medical practitioner.
A reminder too that from 6 September authorised and relevant care workers are required to register for a ‘Workers Permit’ if they are travelling into or out of an LGA of concern for work.
Disability support staff are a priority for vaccination in NSW and NDS encourages all providers to continue to work with their staff to support them to obtain a vaccination.
Obtaining a vaccination
NSW Health has established priority Pfizer vaccination appointments at the Sydney Olympic Park Qudos Bank Arena Vaccination Centre to support eligible workers to meet the new requirements.
Priority Pfizer vaccination appointments are available for all authorised workers aged over 16 living in LGAs of concern.
Workers aged 16-39 who live in or work in areas of concern can continue to access priority vaccines. Vaccines can also be booked through the Australian Department of Health eligibility checker or by calling the National Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 020 080.
Other options include:
Commonwealth vaccination teams are providing Pfizer vaccinations to residents and staff either at group homes or in vaccination hubs located at disability provider locations.
There are also a number of providers who are hosting vaccination hubs to support people with disability and workers to obtain a vaccine. Any providers hosting vaccine hubs are strongly encouraged to contact COVID19VacTFDisabilityServices1A@Health.gov.au to provide details of their vaccine hub so that this can be distributed.
NDS COVID-19 senior leader meeting
NDS members are invited to attend the next CEO/Senior Leader COVID-19 Discussion meeting. This meeting is an opportunity for providers to share best practice and strategies with their colleagues.
Useful links
- NSW Health COVID-19 - Disability Service Providers webpage
- For Providers - COVID-19 | NDIS website
- Australian Government Department of Health - Disability provider Alerts
- Australian Government Department of Health - Providing disability support services during COVID-19
- Australian Government Department of Health - COVID-19 vaccine information for disability service providers
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for health professionals, including aged care providers, pathology providers and health care managers
- NDS COVID-19 hub for information and resources including PPE
For any enquiries, please contact Karen Stace, Senior Manager, State and Territory Operations , submit enquiry/feedback, show phone number