Media Release by Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC

Additional vaccination support available for NDIS participants

The expansion of the national vaccination rollout, as well as tailored support measures, are providing more options for people with disability.

All Australians, including NDIS participants, now have more than 9,000 places where they can get vaccinated, including general practices, pharmacists, ACCHOs, Commonwealth vaccination clinics and state and territory operated vaccination clinics.

From the week of 20 September, a rapid rollout of the Moderna vaccine will mean that 3,600 community pharmacies across the country will be able to administer the vaccine by the end of the month.

NDIS Minister Linda Reynolds said additional measures are in place to assist NDIS participants and their support workers and families.

“We have implemented a number of measures to provide additional support for NDIS participants and their support workers to get vaccinated in a way that works for them,” Minister Reynolds said.

The following measures already in place include:

  • A $150 support payment is available to all eligible NDIS providers to help participants – to book and attend a community vaccine site;
  • A Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item is available for GPs and other medical practitioners working in a general practice settings to conduct a COVID-19 vaccination at a patient’s place of residence;
  • In addition to Commonwealth in-reach vaccination services to residential disability accommodation sites, dedicated disability vaccination hubs, run in conjunction with NDIS providers, are in place across the majority of states and territories. These hubs are available to NDIS participants, their carers and support workers.

The Commonwealth continues to consult with disability community stakeholders, as it considers additional targeted measures to support people who choose to be vaccinated.

As at 13 September, the vaccination rates are:

  • For NDIS participants in shared residential accommodation, 72.8% have received one dose, and 62.5% have received two doses;
  • For all NDIS participants aged 16 years and over, 57.6% of all eligible NDIS participants have received at least one dose, and 38.8% have had two doses;
  • For NDIS participants aged 12-15 years, 10.5% have received at least one dose since becoming eligible in late August;
  • For NDIS screened support workers, 69% have received at least one dose, and 51.4% have had two doses. In jurisdictions with community transmission and lockdowns, vaccination rates are higher, with 77% of screened support workers in NSW, 73.6% in Victoria and 75.1% in the ACT having received at least one dose.