NT Health urges parents to book the jab before kids go back to school

Children are now eligible to receive the jab, and the statistics reveal a chilling picture if they don't get it.

UPDATE: THE Marrara Vaccination Centre had a “fantastic turnout” as Territorian children aged 5-11 queued to roll up their sleeves and receive their first Covid-19 jab on Monday morning.

According to NT Health about 4000 appointments had been made for the latest eligible age category.

OPINION: MAKE YOUR CHILD'S LIFE COUNT

ACROSS the globe the impacts of Omicron are beginning to unravel.

The startling statistics show a trend unseen in all other Covid outbreaks. Children are now needing hospitalisation.

In the first wave, children were considered mostly unaffected by the virus.

Then Delta came and the age of people infected began to drop while the rate of infections grew.

Now, with Omicron, the Centre of Disease Control researchers are saying there is a global surge in children requiring hospitalisation as a result of Covid-19.

The data is yet to be fully understood, but one of the core concerns in the Territory is the pre-existing health conditions in many children.

The Territory has the highest rates of Rheumatic Heart Disease. NT has expotential rates of children with respiratory disease, anaemia and juvenile diabetes.

The stark reality is two years into a pandemic the Territory’s remote populations have mostly been sheilded. But now Omicron is here the unknown makes it a cause for collective concern.

Currently there are more than 1600 cases of covid in the NT. As parents prepare for the return of school one of their preparations should include booking a vaccination - even if it is only to protect themselves.

At the end of this month, children from a range of households will share a classroom for 6 hours a day. Therefore our best collective defence is to vaccinate and to do it quickly.

Apprhension is fair however, the data is in. The vaccination can’t be called experimental anymore, the impact of Covid can’t be denied.

Worldwide 9.2b people have recieved a vaccination. Sadly, 5.4m people have died from covid.

As a parent, you have to know what statistics you would rather your child be part of.

Mother Nicole Ryan booked her two boys Max (9) and Lincoln (6) Ryan at the earliest opportunity to get vaccinated.

“I just wanted them to get protected before Covid got them first,” Ms Ryan said.

She said her two boys understood the importance of getting the jab and “they understand and know it’s to protect themselves”.

“We have spoken a lot about Covid and what vaccination means,” Ms Ryan said.

After receiving the vaccine you must wait 15-minutes before leaving the clinic, the two brothers happily spent that time playing with balloons and the waiting room foosball table.

Max Ryan 9yrs and his brother Lincoln 6yrs after they had their Covid-19 vaccine this morning NT children aged 5-11 can now get their vaccinations. NT Health will facilitate Picture Julianne Osborne

Max Ryan urged other kids that the vaccine was not so scary once you get it.

“It’s scary at first but once you get it, it’s not so bad,” Mr Ryan said.

Younger brother Lincoln Ryan said other kids should get the vaccine to “stay safe”.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles lined up with her son Henry Archbold (9) to get his first shot of the vaccine on Monday too.

9yr old Henry Archbold after having his vaccine with Health Minister Natasha Fyles NT children aged 5-11 can now get their vaccinations. NT Health will facilitate Picture Julianne Osborne

A young boy at the clinic was hesitant to receive his first jab, so Mr Archbold encouraged him that it “doesn’t hurt” and it was going to be okay.

Mr Archbold said he would encourage all of his friends to get it.

“Go get it, it doesn’t hurt and then it will make you and your friends safe”.

Ms Fyles urged Territorian parents and carers to head to the NTG website or contact their GP to make the booking.

“There are appointments available right across the NT,” Ms Fyles said.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles addresses the media on NT children aged 5-11 can now get their vaccinations. NT Health will facilitate Picture Julianne Osborne

EARLIER: CHILDREN aged 5-11 are eligible for their first Covid-19 vaccinations from Monday, as schools prepare for students’ return to the classroom in three weeks’s time.

AMSANT chief executive John Paterson has called on all families to book their child’s vaccination as soon as possible to protect “little ones” from the virus.

“It is a scary moment we are about to face, that is why it is critical we get 5-11 year-olds vaccinated as quick as possible,” Mr Paterson said.

“We need all mob getting their booster as soon as they can now too. The virus is here and we know the best protection is to be vaccinated.”

Parents are able to book their child’s vaccination by the government website, alternatively contact their local health clinic.

Ronan Bonson will be among the first children under 12 to get his Covid-19 vaccination. Picture: (A) manda Parkinson

More than 3200 Territory kids are already booked for their first vaccine this month through NT Health vaccination centres.

Children’s vaccinations will be available in Pirlangimpi, Milikapiti, Jabiru, Julanimawu, Nauiyu (Daly River), Belyuen, Papunya, Mt Liebig, Milyakburra, Angurugu, Alyangula and Umbakumba this month.

In remote communities, many clinics are allowing walk-ins from Wednesday following training days on how to administer the smaller dose.

Sunrise Aboriginal Health Organisation chairperson and grandma Anne-Marie Lee said as soon as the clinic doors open she will be there with her grandson.

“I just want him protected. I can’t stand the thought of him getting sick,” said Ms Lee.

“Same with my mob in Darwin, my daughter will get her second shot tomorrow, and at the same time my granddaughter will get her first.”

According to a release from the Centre for Disease Control hospitalisations for children contracting omicron had surged in the US, data that has Aboriginal health experts concerned.

“We just don’t know what the impact will be on our kids, we have a lot of little ones that are already sick without having Covid,” Mr Paterson said.

“Many of our young mob have got complicated medical conditions, so we need them and everyone around them vaccinated.”

A NT Health spokeswoman said 153 Territory children had caught Covid since the start of the pandemic.

AMSANT’s calls were echoed by the Minister of Health Natasha Fyles on Saturday when she pleaded with the public to speak with trusted medical professionals and experts, rather than misinformation online.

“It is utter nonsense the information that is being spread on Tiktok and Facebook, you need make sure you get your information from a source of truth,” Ms Fyles said.

“Talk to the clinic, talk to health staff; we have amazing Aboriginal health organisations and these people can help you understand what is in the vaccine.”

Ms Fyles said the 3200 vaccine bookings was “outstanding”.

“Getting vaccinated is the best tool to protect yourself and your loved ones, as well as the broader community,” she said.

VACCINE PASSPORTS ROLL OUT IN RETAIL, HOSPITALITY

Customers at the Tap Bar on Mitchell will need to prove they are double vaxxed before enjoying a cold one. Picture Glenn Campbell

FAKE vaccine passports will become the new dodgy drivers licences as hospitality businesses enforce the Territory wide vaccine passport.

Today marks the first day of the vaccine pass system, with hospitality and retail businesses required to check if their customers have been double jabbed before stepping inside.

Businesses were given three days notice prior to the introduction of the health direction, with Chief Minister Michael Gunner announcing the program alongside the start of the three-day snap lockout on Thursday.

Mr Gunner said the measure was not a “radical” measure, could be linked to the existing Territory Check In app, and was already in place in other states.

Pubs, clubs, casinos, restaurants, cinemas and major ticketed events with over 500 people in urban centres and over 100 in non-urban areas will now need to check the status of their customers.

The Precinct duty manager Rajju Shakya said he was anticipating a fairly easy transition into the vaccine passport system.

“Everyone has got used to it by now,” Mr Shakya said.

Mr Shakya said the Waterfront venue had been forced to increase its security since the start of the pandemic.

He said there had been a number of “rowdy” incidents with non-compliant customers.

“I don’t want our staff getting involved in certain situations,” Mr Shakya said.

“At the end of the day it’s not just about the safety of the customers, but our staff and our families.”

Mr Shakya said the integration of the Medicare certificates with the check in app meant people were less frustrated with the passports.

“People don’t want to go through a hassle just to get a beer,” he said.

But Mr Shakya said he already had to brief his staff on how to catch sneaky passport fakers, with some anti-vaxxers using screenshots of their mates certificates to get through the door.

He said if there was any suspicion a certificate was faked, staff would ask to double check their names on their IDs.

The Tap On Mitchell duty manager Sabine Haennig said the new requirement was easily enforced, but said it was frustrating to make her staff enforce the health mandate.

Ms Haennig said the vaccine pass was just another thing to confirm at the door, alongside the check in app and IDs.

“We’ve been doing it from the start,” she said.

“We want to make sure we’re doing the right thing.”

Ms Haennig said most customers were fairly compliant and accepted the Covid compliance as the “new normal”.

Ms Haennig said there had been a slow down in business, but that was fairly typical of the wet season, rather than the mask mandate, lockout or new the vaccine pass.

While there had been no incidents between customers with staff, Ms Haennig it was frustrating businesses were policing the health directions.

On Friday Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker said officers would work closely with businesses to address any issues of non compliance.

“This is not going to be designed for those individual businesses and staff to be involved in physical altercations,” Mr Chalker said.