What you need to know

• Disability workers will be required to have three doses of an approved vaccine either by 12 April or within six weeks of being due to receive a third dose
• A person’s due date for their third vaccination is 13 weeks after their second dose 
• New staff may commence if they have had two doses of an approved vaccine but must receive their third dose within six weeks of being due to receive it
• Regular rapid antigen testing is recommended for staff who have not yet had their third dose

NSW Health has provided updated advice around required vaccinations for disability workers.

Following an earlier announcement from Minister Brad Hazzard that boosters would be required by disability support workers, NSW Health has provided additional information about the requirements. 

Staff providing residential, in-home, day and community-based disability services and under the NDIS or assisted school transport are required to have three doses of an approved vaccine. 

Staff must provide evidence of having received at least three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Where a staff member has had two doses of an approved vaccine, they must have a third dose either by the later of:

• 12 April 2022 or
• six weeks from the due date of the worker’s third dose (due date is 13 weeks after the person’s second dose)

New workers can commence employment with two doses, however, they must receive their third dose within six weeks of their due date to continue working.

It is recommended that staff who have not yet had three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine should have regular RAT testing (for example, twice per week for a full-time staff member).

Limited exemptions apply. A COVID-19 medical contraindication certificate is required for an exemption.

Providers should continue to check the NSW Health website as information and guidance can change quickly. 

Useful links

• NSW Health COVID-19 Disability Service Providers webpage
• For Providers - COVID-19 | NDIS website
• Australian Government Department of Health - Disability provider Alerts
• Australian Government Department of Health - Providing disability support services during COVID-19
• NDS COVID-19 hub for information and resources including PPE

Article sourced from National Disability Services