COVID booster shot mandated for NSW teachers

School-based staff will now be required to receive their third booster shot, following changes made to mandatory vaccination regulations by the NSW Government.

The vaccination mandate change was included as part of new measures to curb the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

It came ahead of this week’s opening of vaccinations for children aged 5–11 years old.

NSW Department of Education Secretary Georgina Harrisson said vaccination remains the best way of keeping school communities safe. She said school-based staff had responded well to the original vaccination mandate.

“As we prepare for the start of Term 1, our focus remains on keeping our staff and students safe. Adding a booster shot to the vaccination mandate will help maintain confidence that schools are a safe place to learn and work,” Harrisson said.

“As with the initial vaccine mandate, we will ensure school-based staff have sufficient time to obtain their booster and I encourage everyone to secure an appointment when their booster is due.”

She said the Department was updating its attestation system and would advise staff when they were able to update their records.

Harrisson reassured parents that planning for the start of the 2022 school year was underway, with a focus on the continuity of learning for all students while ensuring staff and student safety. The extension of the vaccine mandate was the first part of this.

Harrisson also encouraged parents to book their children in for vaccination ahead of the return to school for 2022.

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