Almost 75 per cent of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants in shared residential accommodation are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with numbers for participants and support workers rising quickly since June.
The Morrison Government continues to work closely with states and territories, the disability sector, and vaccination providers to increase opportunities for NDIS participants, their carers and families to receive a vaccination.
Minister for the NDIS Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said that disability vaccination rates are seeing significant progress, underpinned by a range of new initiatives to support the current phase of the rollout.
"The vaccination rate among NDIS participants and support workers continues to be a Government priority, as states and territories begin reopening," Minister Reynolds said.
"Currently, 73.9 per cent of NDIS participants in shared residential accommodation are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 - more than 10 percentage points higher than the national vaccination rate."
Minister Reynolds said more than three quarters (75.6 per cent) of all NDIS participants aged over 16 had now received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and nearly 60 per cent were fully vaccinated.
"Significantly, since late-August when 12-15 year old NDIS participants became eligible, more than 51 per cent have received at least one dose of the vaccination", Minister Reynolds said.
Nearly 80 per cent of NDIS screened workers have also received at least one dose and 67.4 per cent are fully vaccinated, ensuring NDIS participants are protected when receiving care and support.
There are around 10,000 locations around Australia providing vaccinations.
"The Commonwealth is providing local Government Area data to states and territories to identify areas where we need to focus our efforts to ensure NDIS participants can access vaccines in a safe way, which is appropriate to their needs," Minister Reynolds said.
We currently see a variation in the vaccination rates between states and territories (data attached).
"For those states and territories which have been in lockdown due to outbreak of the Delta variant, and are beginning to open up, we see the highest rates of vaccination amongst NDIS participants," the Minister said.
The Morrison Government has implemented a wide range of initiatives in consultation with states and territories, the disability sector and NDIS participants and their representatives.
This includes measures such as:
- A national partnership with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia - to enable easy vaccination bookings through local pharmacies - and the establishment of additional disability-specific vaccine hubs, in partnership with NDIS providers.
