SA’s Covid-19 vaccination rollout among nation’s slowest, data shows
SA’s Covid vaccine rollout is ranked third worst in the country – despite a record day of jabs this week. See the data.
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South Australia’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout is among the nation’s worst despite the state this week recording a record day of jabs, figures show.
Commonwealth data shows almost a fifth of SA’s adult population – or 336,885 people – is fully vaccinated with two doses of Pfizer for those aged up to 59 or AstraZeneca for patients older than 60.
The percentages of those vaccinated is much lower in younger generations, who can access Pfizer vaccines only if they live in regional SA.
An analysis of the data, published by federal Department of Health, shows SA’s 23.39 per cent total ranks third last, with only Queensland (22.51 per cent) and Western Australia (20.69) worse.
Tasmania ranks highest with 29.37 per cent of its population, followed by the NT at 28.21 per cent or ACT 27.47 per cent.
Tasmania has the fastest with 73.5 per 100 people, followed by ACT with 68.3 and NSW at 65.4. WA has the worst with 54.2, then Queensland at 56.9 and NT with 61.7.
They can also access AstraZeneca doses through their GP.
While the number of SA adults with at least one dose is much higher at 44.67 per cent – or 643,415 patients – this still ranks third-worst across the nation.
The state’s rollout, which has come under fire for being sluggish, on Monday recorded 15,262 jabs, the biggest day since the program’s launched on February 22.
The next highest total was recorded last Wednesday when 15,134 patients were given jabs.
Premier Steven Marshall urged everyone eligible to get jabbed.
“We are seeing the vaccination rollout ramp up every single week, especially within our vulnerable cohorts,” he said.
“In fact last week, we saw more than 80,000 doses administered, the biggest for a single week since the rollout began.
“This is vital in being able to open the program up to everyone in South Australia.
“I urge everyone who is currently eligible to roll up to a clinic or GP, roll up their sleeve and protect themselves, their family and ultimately the entire state.”
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, who authorises legal directions as state Covid-19 co-ordinator, on Tuesday warned the current raft of restrictions would stay for some time until “we see more traction with the vaccine rollout”.
Chief public health officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, also warned the public “to be thinking and planning” for another outbreak after the Modbury cluster.
“We will be able to get out of this pandemic, once we’ve got large numbers out of our population vaccinated,” she said.
SA Health heat maps published in the Sunday Mail of vaccine first-dose rates by postcode laid bare the gulf between suburbs and regions.
Almost 83,000 more doses have been given to women since the rollout began six months ago, which is an increase of more than 23,000 in two months.
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