Vaccination Blitz for Education Staff and Students

In Western Australia, students and education staff will be able to walk in designated State-run COVID clinics, while education staff in NSW can now access AstraZeneca vaccines reserved for them from the Homebush vaccination hub.

In addition, the WA Government will map out a school-based vaccination program on a rolling basis from October when Term 4 starts.

The rolling program will be for students 12 years and over and education staff and will be an addition to the state’s appointment-based clinics.

Priority schools will include residential, agricultural, boarding colleges and education support settings.

School staff can also access the dedicated vaccination slots without an appointment after school hours and during the school holidays.

WA Premier Mark McGowan has urged students and teachers to get vaccinated.

“If you are eligible, I urge you to get the COVID-19 vaccine now,” he said in a press release.

“Senior secondary students aged 16 and older and school staff should get along to one of the walk-in clinics as soon as you get the chance.”

“It takes hardly any time and is a great opportunity for you to roll up your sleeve and help keep WA safe.”

Earlier this month, NSW also started a vaccination blitz for school, early childhood, TAFE NSW, Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university staff.

Minister for Education and Early Childhood Education Sarah Mitchell said tens of thousands of vaccinations had been reserved at Qudos Bank Arena Hub in Homebush exclusively for education staff, with vaccinations one of the best lines of defence against the virus.

“The Qudos hub is complimented by 35 walk-in clinics in western NSW, and countless more clinics, GPs and pharmacies across regional NSW who are taking bookings,” Ms Mitchell said.

“As we prepare for a staged return to school from 25 October, and holding HSC exams from 9 November, vaccinating all staff is essential to increase safety and minimise disruption.”

“I’m pleased to see that large numbers of the teaching workforce have already come forward to be vaccinated. Vaccinating staff, along with stringent school restrictions including mask wearing, will help make schools as safe as possible when students return.”

From 8 November 2021, all NSW school and preschool staff will be required to have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.