NT to hit 50 per cent vaccinated milestone with first doses imminently as more Pfizer doses promised

The Northern Territory is leading the nation in its rates of Covid-19 vaccination, and it’s about to surpass a crucial milestone with the help of an extra 8000 Pfizer doses arriving each month.

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THE Northern Territory is aiming to turbocharge its nation-beating vaccine rollout, as the number of Territorians having received at least one dose teeters on the edge of 50 per cent.

An extra 8000 doses each month will be provided to the NT, as it nears having half of its population jabbed with at least one dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine – an Australian first.

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The NT is also expected to reach 25 per cent fully vaccinated on Thursday, far above the national average of 14 per cent.

In remote communities, 37 per cent have received at least one dose and 21 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Of the Territory’s total of 129,000 vaccines administered since the rollout began five months ago, roughly a third – or 41,800 – were administered in June alone.

The Marrara Covid-19 Vaccination Centre. Picture: Che Chorley

It comes as more shipments of Pfizer jabs are expected to flow into the Territory in coming weeks, boosting the availability of highly sought-after appointments at vaccination centres.

Speaking exclusively to the NT News, Chief Minister Michael Gunner revealed supply being provided by the Commonwealth would increase from next week.

“We’ll be able to administer about 8000 extra jabs next month, and I know Territorians will step up again so we can keep accelerating the rollout.”

Mr Gunner said the NT’s rank as the nation’s leading jurisdiction for vaccination rates showed Territorians wanted to protect loved ones from the devastating impacts of Covid-19.

“Territorians have been the best in Australia at getting vaccinated and they’ve stepped up and filled appointments as they’ve become available,” he said.

The Chief Minister however warned the Territory has a long way to go in its rollout, suggesting even hesitant Territorians would need to be jabbed before we could enjoy a complete reopening of society.

“Every Territorian knows someone who is vulnerable to COVID-19.

“It’s one-degree of separation up here, and that’s why it’s so crucial that we achieve a very high vaccination rate and protect our families, our friends, our neighbours and our communities.”

Nurse Deena Mear at the Marrara Covid-19 Vaccination Centre in Darwin. Picture: Thomas Morgan

Vaccination nurse Deena Mear, who was at the Darwin Covid-19 Vaccination Centre in Marrara on Wednesday, said she was excited to see the rollout gathering pace.

“There’s a lot of behind the scenes stuff that goes on, that people don’t see,” Ms Mear said.

“Everyone is doing the best, and we apologise if there was a bit of delay in getting appointments.

“But we are working as fast as we can, as safely as we can.”

Ms Mear, who has been working in the Northern Territory since 2018, said demand for vaccinations had surged at clinics and centres since the Territory’s most recent lockdown in late June.

“Since it’s been opened up to the population, there’s a vast majority that are booking in and or trying to book in, and giving the vaccine.”

Ms Mear, who has travelled out to several remote locations to administer doses to communities, said many residents had questions and needed reassuring.

“A lot of them have had that concern about whether it’s AstraZeneca or Pfizer,” she said.

“So when we reassure them that they’re getting the Pfizer vaccination, they seem to be a lot more willing to have the vaccination.”

“But also asking sensible questions like why they need to have it.”

But Ms Mear said uptake had been “really good” during each visit to remote communities.

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