There is a "worryingly low" rates of vaccine take-up in remote Northern Territory communities, with some still saying no to the jab, Chief Minister Michael Gunner said.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Health officials were also "flying blind" in some communities due to a lack of data from Commonwealth administered areas.
"Because we don't have those numbers, we have to work on the assumption that they are low numbers," Mr Gunner said
"And because we don't have these numbers we don't know what additional efforts, if any, we have to make in those communities at this stage.
"We are working with the Commonwealth to break down the data and hopefully there will be good news on that soon."
The comments came as Mr Gunner announced a new set of directives for mandatory jabs for many workers, with a $5000 for each breach of the new code.
The Chief Minister said that the Territory had reached 80 per cent first-dose vaccination this week for people 16 and over and more than a third of 12-15 have had their first dose.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Mr Gunner said the "ambitious" aim of having 80 per cent double-dosed by early November for Territorians 16 and over looks like "just about getting their by mid or late November".
But he said there were worryingly low rates in some Aboriginal communities and a reluctances remained in some communities to get the jab.
"We can't hold people down and stick a needle in their arm. It is their choice and some are choosing against it."
"The reality is this, at the end of the day, with all the best information, with all the goodwill, with all the repeated attempts, there are some people, in some communities, who have said no to the jab, " Mr Gunner said.
"And could keep saying no.
"We can't hold people down and stick a needle in their arm. It is their choice and some are choosing against it."
Mr Gunner said that COVID was "not waiting around forever for you to change your mind".
"We cannot be naive. We have got strong borders but the idea that the borders will remain strong forever is dangerous," he said.
Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie said that the NT had been so lucky so far to have escaped the worst of case numbers and restrictions seen elsewhere in Australia.
"Anybody who is here, Territorians or not, I would ask you to get vaccinated," he said. "Please, please, please."
Juanita Greville
If you've got a story to tell, I'd love to hear from you. Email me at juanita.greville@austcommunitymedia.com.au
If you've got a story to tell, I'd love to hear from you. Email me at juanita.greville@austcommunitymedia.com.au
