Teacher shortage looms as thousands still refuse vaccine despite looming deadline - as NSW infection numbers fall further 

• NSW recorded 296 new local Covid cases  and four deaths on Sunday 
• From Monday primary and high schools will welcome back all students
• There are concerns about 3,000 teachers are yet to get their second vaccine 

NSW is facing the prospect of a looming teacher shortage as thousands of educators remain unvaccinated despite being given a deadline to get a jab or lose their jobs.

Covid case numbers continue to drop with 296 new infections and four deaths recorded on Sunday with nearly 85 per cent of the state double-vaccinated. 

The high vaccine rates mean from Monday students in Years 2 to 11 will return to in-person learning in the classroom, with those in kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12 already having returned last week. 

But there are now concerns there could be a shortage of teachers to front their classes, with about 3,000 still not fully vaccinated. 

In NSW, teaching staff have been mandated to have their second Covid jab by November 8. 

As of Friday about 95 per cent of school staff members are understood to have been vaccinated - with the remaining 5 per cent amounting to about 3000 teachers.

Some of those 3,000 may have not had the chance to get jabbed since the edict was put in place, while others may be resisting vaccination.

'That presents serious challenges in terms of the organisation of a school in terms of ensuring that we have staff in front of every classroom and our timetabled classes proceed unaffected,' Angelo Gavrielatos from the NSW Teacher's Federation said. 

About 160 schools are understood to be seeking help from the Education Department to boost staff numbers. 

Among the new rules both students and teachers will have to get used to when classes resume are that everyone with the exception of primary school students is required to wear a mask indoors. 

Physical distancing will also need to be maintained indoors and windows kept open. 

Parents will also be barred from visiting inside the school grounds. 

The latest figures from NSW Health show 93 per cent of the state's eligible population over 16 have had one Covid vaccine dose and 84.4 are fully vaccinated. 

A vaccination push is currently being held this weekend for the 22.9 per cent of children aged 12 to 15 who have not yet received a first dose .

More than 40 clinics across the state will offer walk-in Pfizer appointments for kids as they get ready to return to class. 

About 46.08 per cent of this age group are double vaccinated and 77.11 per cent have had one dose. 

Marianne Gale, NSW deputy chief health officer, issued a reminder on Friday that children are able to catch the delta variant and parents should remain vigilant. 

'If any of our kids have even the mildest of symptoms, it's really important not to go to school, it's important to go and get a test and stay home until you receive a negative result,' she said in a recorded video message.

The reopening of schools is another major step at towards leaving lockdowns behind with most businesses in the state welcoming back customers earlier this month.

Fully vaccinated NSW residents can now visit the hairdresser, sit down at a restaurant, grab a drink at the pub and workout at the gym.