NSW Health has extended the deadline to 6 September for relevant care workers living or working in LGA’s of concern to receive at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

NDS is pleased that our significant advocacy efforts have resulted in more time to enable workers to comply with the Public Health Orders.

NDS members are supportive of mandatory vaccines but the original 10 day timeframe presented significant challenges for some providers and workers.

Other authorised workers will now also be required to have one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to work outside of their LGA of concern. Rapid antigen testing will no longer be an alternative.

The recent update also confirms that workers under the age of 16 are exempt from the vaccination requirement.

Providers are encouraged to check the NSW Health website as information can change rapidly.

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.

Meet with the NSW Divisional Committee

NDS members are invited to meet our NSW Divisional Committee on 2 September. This meeting will provide an opportunity for the NSW Committee to hear directly from you about your most critical issues (COVID-19 related or other) and how these should shape our priorities.