Federal govt refuses to endorse NT’s own vaccination data, maintains federal data is accurate

The federal government has refused to endorse the Territory’s own recorded vaccination data, insisting the federal data is accurate and consistent across the country.

THE federal government has refused to endorse the Territory’s own recorded vaccination data, but says it’s up to the NT government to decide which set of numbers it uses.

A Health Department spokesman said the federal government’s data was recorded consistently across all states and territories to ensure “accuracy of reporting”.

The NT government’s data, which has consistently shown markedly higher vaccination rates across the Territory, has been used by NT health authorities to inform decisions about opening up.

Using the location where the jab was administered, the NT government believes more than 80 per cent of Territorians over the age of 16 have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccination.

Federal government data, which uses a person’s best known Medicare address, records the Territory’s first vaccination rate as just over 70 per cent – the lowest of all Australian jurisdictions.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt. Picture: Ian Currie

“Operation Covid Shield works closely with the states and territories to ensure consistency and accuracy of reporting over the course of the national Covid vaccine rollout,” the Health spokesman said.

“The NT is reporting its data based on where the vaccine was administered, regardless of the state or territory the individual lives in.

“It is a matter for the NT government which data set they base their decision to reopen the Territory.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner continues to insist the Territory’s own data is more accurate.

“I made it clear to national cabinet from the beginning that the errors in federal government data may be OK for large jurisdictions but – to make the best decisions for the lives of Territorians – I need the most accurate data, which is ours,” he told the NT News last week. “Down south, the federal vaccine data error might account for a decimal point, up here it makes a huge difference, which is why we can’t use it. Our vaccine data affects our public health policy and where we direct our efforts.”

It comes as Mr Gunner last week revealed he has not been privy to vaccination rates in remote NT communities overseen by the federal government, despite repeated requests for the figures.