Media Release
Northern Territory Government
NT Health Territorians urged to vaccinate ahead of holiday period
1 December 2023
NT Health is encouraging Territorians to ensure they are up-to-date with vaccinations for COVID-19 and measles ahead of the Christmas holiday period.
During this time there will be increased travel interstate and overseas where rises in cases of COVID-19 and measles are being reported.
It is timely for Territorians to ensure they are protected against COVID-19 and measles as soon as possible, as it takes around 2 weeks after vaccination to develop immunity.
Immunity will help to keep Territorians safe and protect people who are visiting the Northern Territory (NT), as well as avoid bringing diseases back on returning from travel.
COVID-19 vaccination
Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and others against COVID-19, with 2023 booster doses providing up-to-date defence against severe illness and hospitalisation.
It is recommended that adults with certain risk factors and those aged 65 years and over have a 2023 booster dose, and that those aged 75 years and older have 2 booster doses in 2023, 6 months apart.
People who are unsure if they need a 2023 booster dose should speak with their vaccine provider.
Seven per cent of eligible Territorians aged 18 to 64 years have had a COVID-19 vaccination booster in 2023. Older people are most at risk of severe COVID-19 disease and hospitalisation, yet only 38 per cent of people aged 65 years and over and 48 per cent of people aged 75 years and over years have had a COVID-19 vaccination booster this year.
COVID-19 vaccinations are available in the NT at GPs, pharmacies and community health clinics. For more information or to book a COVID-19 vaccination, visit: [https://health.nt.gov.au/covid-19/vaccine/book-your-vaccine] .
While new Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccines will be available in the NT from mid-December 2023, it is important those eligible do not delay their booster vaccination, as 2 weeks are needed to develop immunity.
All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the NT provide protection and reduce disease in the community.
Measles vaccination
Measles outbreaks are occurring in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, while the virus remains common in countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
To date this year, across Australia there have been 28 cases of measles. Most measles cases in Australia occur when people who are unvaccinated travel overseas to places where measles is spreading and bring it back, often before they are aware they are infected.
The most recent cases of measles in the NT were in 2019, when 32 were recorded.
Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are required for immunity against measles and are given to children in Australia at 12 and 18 months of age. At least 95 per cent of the population needs to be vaccinated for there to be enough immunity across the population to stop spread and help protect those who cannot be vaccinated. Currently, 91 per cent of 2 year olds in the NT are fully immunised.
It is strongly advised the following groups get a measles vaccination:
· adults who are born after 1966 and do not have 2 documented vaccinations against measles or evidence of previous measles infection;
· babies from the age of 12 months who have not started their MMR immunisation.
MMR vaccines are available at community health centres, Aboriginal Community Controlled health centres, GPs and selected pharmacies.
Immunisation records are available from the Australian Immunisation Register.
Learn more at Measles | NT.GOV.AU [https://nt.gov.au/wellbeing/health-conditions-treatments/viral/measles#:~:text=Treatment,the%20disease%20to%20other%20people.]
Media contact: [media.health@nt.gov.au] or 0436 641 108.
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