A booster vaccination can be given 3 or more months after your first 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Studies show that the immunity created by COVID-19 vaccines begins to wane over time.

A booster dose helps to strengthen your immune system and improve your long-term protection against serious illness from the COVID-19 virus.

COVID-19 booster vaccines are highly recommended to continue to protect you, your loved ones and your community against COVID-19.
 
Book in for your booster vaccinations via the vaccine clinic finder.

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In order to reduce the impact on the public health system, the AHPPC has recommended that staff at early childhood education and care services should be vaccinated for influenza. However, it is not a requirement under the National Law and Regulations.

If this becomes a requirement under a Public Health Order in NSW we will notify you.

In the interests of the health and wellbeing of all staff and children at your service we encourage you to get the influenza vaccine if there are no contraindications for you to do so.

Children under five years old are entitled to a free influenza vaccine. Some employers also subsidise vaccines for staff.

For information about the influenza vaccination, including people who are eligible to receive the vaccination for free visit the NSW Health website.

What do the public health orders say about mandatory vaccines for staff?

The Public Health Order relating to vaccination of education and care workers will not be extended beyond 13 May 2022.

In line with broader community settings, ECE services will now move to a risk-based assessment approach for their workforce, meaning that services may choose to implement their own policies around staff vaccination.

NSW Health continues to recommend two doses of the COVID-19 vaccination and a booster shot to reduce the risk of transmission within the community.

How can ECE staff access vaccines?

To check your eligibility and book an appointment at a location near you, use the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker on the Australian Government website. More information on COVID-19 vaccination, including translated information, is available from NSW Health.

You can also book an appointment through the NSW Health website.

Staff in regional NSW are encouraged to need to regularly check the eligibility checker. New appointments are regularly being added in regional NSW. In addition,  staff can:  

• book into one of the regional and rural vaccination clinics  
• attend one of the pop-up clinics in Western NSW  

NSW Health vaccination clinics and participating general practices and pharmacies across the state are open for COVID-19 vaccination bookings. NSW Health is also providing  walk-in centres in some locations where no appointments are required. 

What are my rights with regards to vaccinations and the workplace?

 The Fair Work Ombudsman has prepared information with regards to vaccinations and the workplace. This includes:

• Managing vaccinations in the workplace
• Requiring employees to be vaccinated
• Refusing directions to be vaccinated
• Providing evidence of vaccination

You can read more here.

Can I stand an employee down for not being vaccinated?

Further information on COVID-19, health and safety, vaccinations in the workplace and employer obligations in relation to their employees is available from the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Who should receive a booster vaccination and when?

Vaccinations continue to be our best defence against COVID-19. NSW Health have updated their advice around booster vaccinations which can now be given 3 or more months after your first 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 booster vaccines are highly recommended to protect you, your loved ones and your community against COVID-19.