Vaccination Information

As part of the phased COVID-19 vaccination roll out, more staff working in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector are now eligible to receive the vaccine. The vaccination rollout is occurring in phases determined by the Australian Government on advice from health experts.

The free and safe vaccines being used in Australia are very effective at preventing serious illness and loss of life from COVID-19.

This email provides important information about the COVID-19 vaccine including eligibility requirements and how to access the vaccine.

Eligibility

Many educators are already eligible through a broad set of eligibility criteria – for instance all people over 40 years old, but also

people under 40 who meet various eligibility criteria including those who provide care to a child with a disability in an educational

setting. Visit https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility?lang=en to check your eligibility.

Currently, early childhood education and care staff who are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine include:

• people who are 40 years and older
• staff in Phase 1b Priority Group 1, being:
• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registered nurses and allied health workers in clinical and non-clinical roles in early childhood services
• staff in Phase 1b Priority Group 2 (caregivers’ provision):
• workers in early childhood education and care services, directly working with children living with a specified underlying medical condition or significant disability requiring frequent assistance with activities of daily living.

Prioritised access to vaccination for staff specified above is in recognition of the vulnerability of children living with specified medical

conditions or significant disability to becoming very unwell if they become infected with the coronavirus.

The COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine can be used in adults aged under 60 years where the benefits clearly outweigh the risk for that

individual and the person has made aninformed decision based on an understanding of the risks and benefits.

If you are aged 18-59 years of age, you can choose to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine:

• following an appropriate assessment of suitability by a qualified health professional; and
• if you provide verbal or written consent.
• To learn more about the Australian Government’s vaccine rollout, and to check your eligibility, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker.

How to book an appointment

You can now book or change a vaccination appointment at a vaccination centre through the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker.

The booking system is free and easy to use to help you book into your COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre. Eligible people can use the booking system to schedule their COVID-19 vaccination.

You can use the online booking system on your phone or computer. Please note the booking system works best with Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Internet Explorer is not supported.

You may have questions about a pre-existing medical condition and getting a COVID-19 vaccine. In this case, the Department of Health recommends you get your COVID-19 vaccine through your general practitioner (GP).

People who are aged over 70 are encouraged to receive their COVID-19 vaccine at their GP. Use the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker to find a nearby GP clinic offering vaccinations and book your appointment.

Many staff may also be receiving or planning to receive a flu vaccination this year, it is recommended to leave a period of 14 days between receiving the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination planning can be discussed with your immunisation provider.

What to bring to a vaccine appointment

For information on what to bring to a vaccine appointment refer to Getting ready for your vaccination.

Individuals seeking vaccination based on their occupation (including Early Childhood Education and Care) must provide evidence of their employment. We have developed a template letter to support you.

After the first appointment

Both vaccines that have been approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration, the Pfizer vaccine and the AstraZeneca vaccine, require two doses.

At the first appointment, employees will get the first dose of the vaccine. After the first appointment, employees will be able to book an appointment to receive their second dose. After each appointment it is important to continue to practice COVID-safe behaviours.

NSW Health advise that like all vaccinations, COVID-19 vaccines can have side effects. Expected side effects are generally mild and on average last a day or two. For more information visit after getting your vaccination.

Find out more

For more information, refer to:

• the NSW Government COVID-19 vaccine website
• the Commonwealth COVID-19 vaccine website.
• For further enquiries, contact:
• the National coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine helpline: 1800 020 080.
• Border arrangements

Children and staff in border communities can continue to attend NSW education and care services at this time, except for the following reasons:

They must remain at home if they are unwell, even with the mildest of symptoms. If they are unwell they should receive a negative COVID test and be symptom-free before returning to your service.

If they have been to a venue of concern they must comply with the self-isolation and testing requirements as directed by the relevant Health Department.

Travelling to and from ACT

Families and staff who live in the ACT who have recently visited Greater Sydney should visit the ACT website for further information.

Travelling to and from Victoria

The border bubble remains in effect between NSW and Victoria.

To cross the border without a permit, cross-border staff and families need to carry proof of address. Educators and families who are Victorian residents in the border bubble impacted by the Victorian lockdown which commenced at 11.59pm 15 July 2021 are permitted to continue to attend NSW schools for work and education. However, Victoria is pausing all red zone permits from 11.59pm 20 July 2021. This may cause some disruption to staff who have been or need to travel to a red zone.

Families and staff who live in or around the NSW/Victoria border should seek further advice through the NSW and Victorian Government COVID-19 websites.

Travelling to and from Queensland

A New South Wales border zone came into effect from 1am Friday 23 July 2021. Staff and families who are Queensland residents can continue to attend NSW services in the border zone for work and education.

Queensland residents coming to NSW will still need to complete the NSW declaration for entry form from Queensland every 72 hours. They will also need to complete a declaration form for NSW to re-enter Queensland from NSW.

It is important to note that New South Wales border zone residents and Queensland residents cannot travel south outside the border zone in New South Wales and then enter Queensland until it has been 14 days since they were south of the border zone.

Families and staff who live in or around the NSW–Queensland border should seek further advice through the NSW interstate travellers and Queensland Government COVID-19 website

Information on border arrangements is regularly updated on our website.

Face mask use

Face masks are to be worn at the current time in the Greater Sydney region, Orange, Cabonne and Blayney areas in Early Childhood

Education and Care services. We have compiled some hints and tips for wearing a mask correctly to keep COVID-safe.

• Masks should be put on after thoroughly washing your hands.
• Ensure that the mask covers your nose and mouth.
• Do not touch your mask or face or leave it hanging around your nose or chin.
• Masks should be changed between activities with children where health care procedures are administered.
• You may use a single-use mask continuously for up to 4 hours, as long as it does not become moist, soiled or damaged.
• Do not store and reuse single-use masks. Carry clean masks in a paper or zip-lock bag with you.
• For each new situation put on a clean single-use or cloth mask. For example, you might wear a mask on public transport until you get to work. You shouldn’t reuse the same mask during your journey home.
• After removing a mask, always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or hand sanitiser.
• Helpful advice from NSW Health on face masks, including a video on how to wear a mask is available here.

For more information

The Department regularly updates the COVID-19 Guidelines for ECEC services based on advice from NSW Health.

Educators are encouraged to regularly check the NSW Health website regarding up to date restrictions in NSW.

If you have any questions about your service operation you can contact the Information and

Enquiries team on 1800 619 113 or by emailing ececd@det.nsw.edu.au.