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Dear Chief Executive Officer COVID-19 booster vaccinations I would like to introduce myself as the new NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner. I joined the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) on 10 January 2022, and I am looking forward to supporting you to ensure that all NDIS providers and workers are providing safe, quality supports and services to NDIS participants. You are receiving this letter because you have recently notified the NDIS Commission of a COVID-19 outbreak, involving either an NDIS participant or a staff member. The NDIS Commission recognises the significant efforts of providers in managing outbreaks and maintaining continuity of support for the people with disability you serve during this difficult time. Vaccination against COVID-19 is a safe and effective way to help protect yourself, your workplace and community from severe illness and death as a result of COVID-19. This is particularly important for people with disability, many of whom are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 and becoming extremely unwell or suffering long-term impacts due to pre-existing health conditions. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advises that a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is likely to provide increased protection against infection with the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which continues to spread rapidly. The timely receipt of a booster dose is particularly important for people with risk factors for severe disease and for people with increased risk of exposure to infection. A booster dose can be received 4 months after completion of a primary course of COVID-19 vaccination. Some states and territories have moved to include people who completed a primary course at least 3 months ago. You should monitor your state and territory government information regarding booster timeframes. Where you have regular contact with participants and are aware they are eligible but have not had their booster, you should act now and make every effort to support them to receive their booster, with their informed consent and in accordance with any relevant medical advice. The same effort should be made if you are aware that participants are not already vaccinated or booked in for a primary course. COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses are available through Commonwealth vaccination providers and other channels such as a GP, pharmacy, or state or territory vaccination clinics. See the Department of Health website for more information about vaccinations and boosters. Providers that received in-reach support for primary course doses of a COVID-19 vaccination are eligible for the booster in-reach program and will be contacted directly by a Commonwealth vaccination provider to organise booster doses. Providers should respond to vaccination providers promptly when contacted to agree a date for the booster dose clinic or to advise if an alternate arrangement has been made. If appropriate alternate arrangements are available sooner, providers should also consider these options rather than waiting for a Commonwealth vaccination provider to schedule an in-reach clinic. All NDIS providers, both registered and unregistered, have obligations under the NDIS Code of Conduct (the Code) to provide supports and services in a safe manner, with care and skill. The Code also requires providers to act with respect for the individual rights of participants, including rights to self-determination and decision making. As a registered NDIS provider, the conditions of your registration require you to comply with NDIS Practice Standards that relate to the provision of supports and services to people with disability in a safe environment. The NDIS Practice Standards also require risks to participants and workers associated with the provision of NDIS supports and services to be managed. Supporting participants to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and booster dose, where they choose to be vaccinated, helps to promote a safe service delivery environment, and is one way that you can help manage risks of COVID-19 infection for the participants you support. You and your workers play a critical role by providing accurate and accessible information about COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. There are a number of actions you can take to encourage and support participants, consistent with your obligations:
To support you to have discussions with participants, the Australian Government Department of Health website contains information for people with disability on how to book a vaccination, and links to Easy Read resources and Auslan videos. The NDIS Commission published a statement about the right of people with disability to make their own decision about COVID-19 vaccination, and the role of NDIS providers and workers in supporting participants. This was sent to registered providers on 5 November 2021. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) information webpage on the NDIS Commission website also contains fact sheets and links to resources about COVID-19 vaccination, outbreak planning and infection control. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of the NDIS participants you support during this challenging time. Yours sincerely Tracy Mackey 28 January 2022 General Enquiries1800 035 544 (free call from landlines) Our contact centre is open 9.00am to 5.00pm (9.00am to 4.30pm in the NT) Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. To provide feedback, contact the NDIS Commission by emailing |