NT Health urges Territorians to boost up for a Covid-safe Christmas

As the holiday season approaches, NT Health is urging Territorians to vaccinate early as Covid continues to spread.

NT Health is urging Territorians to vaccinate early and check they are up to date with their 2023 booster dose ahead of the holidays as Covid cases continue to soar across the country.

Early vaccination is especially important for those planning on travelling interstate or overseas this Christmas as it takes two weeks to develop immunity.

Centre for Disease Control director Dr Vicki Krause said vaccination remained the best way to protect yourself and others this festive season.

“From a vaccine point of view, you can get your best protection by being up to date with vaccines,” she said.

“This is a time when we know that people are coming together at all ages so it’s really important to be vaccinated.

“You might be having older relatives coming to visit or you might be going to visit older relatives, and we want to make sure that we’re safe and we’re not putting others at risk.

“Especially those who might be at higher risk of more severe disease should they get vaccine preventable diseases such as Covid or flu.

“So it’s really important at this time, so that we all get to go on our holidays.”

Territorians are being encouraged to vaccinate early to have a safe holiday season with loved ones as Covid cases rise across Australia. Picture: Thinkstock

Last week it was reported there were 496 confirmed cases recorded in the NT over the past four weeks compared to just 194 cases during the previous four week period.

Of that number, three had died with 94 hospitalised between October 27 and November 23, compared to 16 hospitalisations during the previous period.

Latest NT Health data shows that only 7 per cent of eligible Territorians aged 18 to 64 years have had a Covid vaccination booster in 2023.

Thirty-eight per cent of people aged 65 and over and 48 per cent of people aged 75 and over had received their booster this year despite being the most at risk.

Those with certain risk factors and those aged 65 years and over are recommended to have a booster dose with those 75 and up to have had two in 2023, six months apart.

NT Health is urging Territorians to check if they’re up to date with their vaccines due to low vaccination rates across the Territory. Picture: Supplied

Dr Krause said this was likely because many people were unaware they were due for a 2023 booster.

“Most people aren’t aware that they need a current vaccine so that their immunity is high,” she said.

“The fact is that after six months, the immunity wanes from the vaccine, so it is really important that you’ve had your 2023 vaccines and if you’re over 75 you’re actually meant to have had two vaccines in 2023.”

People who are unsure if they need a 2023 booster dose should speak with their vaccine provider.

Covid vaccinations are available in the NT at GPs, pharmacies and community health clinics. For more information or to book a COVID-19 vaccination, visit: health.nt.gov.au/covid-19/vaccine/book-your-vaccine.