Health Minister Natasha Fyles urges Territorians to get vaccinated as rates slow

As stats show four out of five Territorians have had their Covid jab, unvaccinated locals are being urged once again to get the jab with Covid-19 to inevitably to make its way to the NT.

COVID’s Delta variant is coming to the Territory and time and patience are wearing thin as exasperated officials try to convince resistant Territorians to get the jab.

On the same day the NT government announced the Territory will surpass the 80 per cent first-dose milestone this week, it also acknowledged deep concerns at slowing vaccination rates – particularly in remote communities.

Frustratingly, seven months after the vaccine program began in the Territory, Health Minister Natasha Fyles has again had to reconfirm vaccines are tested to the highest standards and are safe.

Asked when the Delta variant would reach the Territory, Ms Fyles said: “We know that the virus will come. Everybody has done a great job in spreading that message about how serious the virus is.

“We’ve seen the media and also the campaigns from the commonwealth and the Northern Territory Health departments that have certainly highlighted how severe and what a fatal impact Covid will have.

“People say to me it’s (vaccine) been developed so quickly that how can it be safe but when you have the brightest minds using evidence, scientific research to come together, that’s what you achieve and the vaccine is safe, it is effective, it’s been rigorously tested and it is a tool that will save lives in the coming months.”

Ms Fyles said four out of five Territorians have had their first Covid-19 vaccination, and the push is on to hit the 80 per cent double-jab milestone.

She said latest figures show 78 per cent have received their first dose and 66 per cent are fully vaccinated. More than 61 per cent of remote Territorians have received the first dose and 44 per cent are fully vaccinated.

NT Australian Medical Association president Robert Parker said the arrival of Delta was “almost inevitable”.

With Melbourne and Sydney opening up with only 80 per cent vaccination rate, it’s “probably inevitable”. “I’m more concerned with politicians playing games in Sydney and Melbourne and potentially the leakage with somebody getting into the Territory

“With the loosening up of restrictions it’s highly likely someone will slip through the net.”

Despite the expected milestone this week, Ms Fyles acknowledged deep concerns about the vaccination rate in some remote communities.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner is expected to provide an update on the Territory’s road map out of Covid he announced on September 15.

This may involve measures to keep unvaccinated residents at home. Financial incentives to vaccinate will also be considered.