SA Novavax Covid vaccine bookings open

Unvaxxed South Aussies holding out for the nation’s first protein-based Covid jab will not need to wait much longer. Here’s how to book for Novavax.

South Australia has recorded a spike in Covid-19 cases as unvaccinated patients can book for the country’s first protein-based vaccine from Friday.

SA Health reported almost 500 more cases on Wednesday with 1,624 daily infections, just days after schools returned.

Data checks found an extra 68 patients. The latest Covid-related deaths were two women in their 80s, a man in his 60s and a male in his 80s.

There are 227 patients recovering in hospital, which is eight more in 24 hours.

The details emerged as up to 25,800 doses of the long-awaited Novavax vaccine have been allocated to SA.

SA Health will next week administer more than 4000 doses at three clinics.

Bookings will open tomorrow for patients to visit the Playford mass hub in the north, a the Noarlunga facility in the south and the Myer Centre clinic in Rundle Mall from next Wednesday.

Almost 150 SA GP clinics and pharmacies have been sent 21,800 doses. But the state government said 40 will open next week.

Premier Steven Marshall said getting vaccinated was critical.

“It is important for South Australians to take every opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccine,” he said.

“(This) is why we continue to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines across our state, based on the supplies provided by the Commonwealth Government.

“This is another opportunity for South Australians who have been waiting for this particular vaccine, to protect themselves, their family, their work colleagues and the broader community – and is another weapon in our arsenal in the fight against Covid-19.”

The Therapeutic Goods Administration, the medicine’s regulator, granted it provisional approval last month, making it Australia’s first protein based Covid-19 vaccine available for official use.

Medical experts say it could be the answer for ­patients looking for a “more traditional vaccine”.

Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier. Picture: Emma Brasier.

A primary vaccination course consists of two doses, administered at least 21 days apart but it is only available to adults older than 18.

Latest figures show 92 per cent of people aged older than 12 are double jabbed while 94.9 per cent have at least one dose. Almost a two thirds of eligible adults are triple vaccinated.

Chief public health officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, said Novavax’s arrival meant “South Australians now have even more choice when it comes to getting their Covid-19 vaccine”.

“It is important that South Australians are comfortable with the vaccine they receive,” she said.

“So it is wonderful that they can now choose between a number of different vaccines including mRNA vaccines Pfizer and Moderna and now the protein vaccine Novavax.

“Novavax is available for people aged 18 and over, so if this is the vaccine of your choice, please make an appointment as soon as they become available.”

Health Minister Stephen Wade urged people not to delay.

Online bookings will be available from Friday at covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/booking/