Almost half of SA’s primary school students have received their first Covid-19 jab
Premier Steven Marshall has thanked the 61,000 five to 11-year-olds who have rolled up their sleeves ahead of the school year for their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
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Almost half of South Australia’s primary school students have received their first Covid-19 vaccination ahead of some heading back to the classroom this week.
The state has recorded the second-highest jab rate per capita in mainland Australia for five to 11-year-olds, behind only Victoria.
SA Health figures released on Sunday revealed 61,248 children have had their first dose since vaccinations opened to primary school students on January 12.
Premier Steven Marshall described the inoculation rate as “a huge effort”.
“Thank you to every one of the more than 60,000 South Australian young superheroes who have rolled up their sleeve to protect themselves, their families and their friends from omicron,” he said.
Mr Marshall stressed supply was greater than demand for Covid-19 vaccinations, with “thousands of appointments gone begging in recent weeks”.
“So there’s really no excuse now – if you haven’t had your vaccination or you haven’t had your booster and you’re eligible, please book in today,” he said.
Mr Marshall said authorities were particularly keen for more five to 11-year-olds to get the jab.
“We want to make sure they’ve got the maximum protection as school starts to return, as of Wednesday this week,” he said.
Only reception and years 1, 7, 8 and 12 students – which equates to about 40 per cent of the state’s student population across primary and high schools – will have classes on campus from Wednesday. Other year levels will begin their school year with online learning, also from Wednesday.
Children of essential workers, or those who are vulnerable, will be able to attend school from Monday, where they will be supervised before undertaking online lessons from Wednesday.
All students will resume face-to-face classes on Monday, February 14.
Authorities are likely to soon give final approval for booster jabs for 16 and 17-year-olds.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration approved the adult booster shot for the teenagers last week but final endorsement is required from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.
“We’re hopeful that could come through today (Sunday), tomorrow or certainly in next couple of days and that means that we’ll be able to get the boosters in the arms of those 16 and 17 year olds before they get back to school,” Mr Marshall said.
SA’s daily Covid cases continue to decline – 1633 new infections were recorded on Sunday.
Two men in their 80s who tested positive for Covid-19 died and there were 20,569 active cases in the state.
A total of 289 people with the virus are in hospital, including 25 in intensive care and two requiring a ventilator.
SA Health has identified Zone Bowling at Woodville as a location with a high level of transmission.
It urges anyone who attended the bowling centre on Tuesday, January 25 between 9am and 1.30pm to monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if they appear.