Chief Minister Michael Gunner says Northern Territory health authorities could have just three months to vaccinate people living in remote communities across the Top End before they become isolated by heavy wet-season rain.
He said he was not confident supply chains would be able to deliver Pfizer shots — the vaccine the government is using in Indigenous communities — to remote areas once the downpours began.
Many Top End communities can become only accessible by air for months at a time during the wet season, which officially begins in October and lasts until April.
"I've got a wet season coming," Mr Gunner said.
"I'm extremely worried about making sure I get enough vaccine into arms prior to the wet season making freight and logistics difficult.
"My window here is probably towards the end of October.
Figures from late last week show about 37 per cent of remote Territorians have had at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, compared to a Territory-wide rate of 46 per cent.
About 21 per cent of remote residents have received their second jab.
Mr Gunner said the upcoming challenges of the Territory's remote rollout was one reason he joined other state and territory leaders in rejecting a request from New South Wales for extra Pfizer doses during a National Cabinet meeting last week.
"You don't know with coronavirus where it's going to strike or when it's going to strike next — you just don't know," Mr Gunner said.
Opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro said she was disappointed some of the NT's vaccine doses were not being sent to NSW.
"Whilst the Territory is in a really good position with vaccinations – and we need to encourage as many Territorians to get vaccinated as possible – you would think we would be able to spare some for our brothers and sisters in New South Wales who are really struggling with this disease."
