Pfizer orders slow down as Covid-19 vaccination rollout goes bush

The NT’s coronavirus vaccine rollout has slowed to a point where the government does not expect to need more doses of the Pfizer jab for at least two weeks.

Northern Territory Health Minister Natasha Fyles. Picture: Julianne Osborne

The Northern Territory’s coronavirus vaccine rollout has slowed to a point where the government does not expect to need more doses of the sought-after Pfizer jab for at least two weeks.

The Australian confirmed the Territory did not request more Pfizer doses in its latest biweekly vaccine order. Any reallocated vaccines will be put in “credit” for future use by the NT if required.

Top End health authorities are understood to be waiting to reduce their existing inventory by about half before ordering more. A government website shows vaccination appointments available daily.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles said the Territory would hit 80 per cent first-dose vaccination rate next week and remained “on track to reach our target of 80 per cent full vaccination during ­November”.

“Our vaccination rate continues to increase at a good pace for this late stage of the rollout,” she said.

“Our temporary pause on ordering more Pfizer is simply a reflection of the fact national supply, and hence our allocation, has significantly increased in recent times.

“This is a good thing and means we can put all our effort into getting jabs in arms without having to factor in supply.”

Government sources said the rate of new vaccinations was slowing as the total numbers increased, partly as authorities tackled harder-to-reach parts of the population.

The NT has proportionally more Indigenous people than any other part of the country. Getting the sensitive Pfizer jab to remote communities is complicated, and conspiracy theories and vaccine hesitancy have discouraged vaccine take-up in some areas.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner recently flagged an intensive campaign to persuade reluctant Central Australian residents to receive the jab. Some people have voiced fears that the vaccine could control their minds or implant microchips in their bodies.

The big, vulnerable Indigenous population means the Territory will need above-average vaccine coverage to be able to reopen ­safely.

The government is expected to push hard to increase remote vaccine take-up but may impose public health measures on any holdout communities rather than delay reopening Territory-wide.

The Territory is expected to impose tough rules around vaccination, forcing the vaccine-hesitant to choose between their principles and freedoms as it moves towards living with the virus instead of trying to keep it out altogether.