Sharp fall in SA Covid vaccination rate sparks new plea to pick up pace

SA’s top doctor has appealed to unvaccinated people to think of those not lucky enough to be able to protect themselves against Covid.

A sharp fall in Covid-19 vaccination rates has prompted the state’s health chief to urge South Australians to get jabbed to protect children who cannot get a dose.

Latest SA Health data shows the number of people getting a jab has slumped by almost a fifth in the past month, or nearly 20,000 doses.

Ahead of borders reopening on Tuesday, official figures also show at least 103,000 people are unvaccinated in the 10 council areas with the worst rates.

The chief public health officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, raised concerns about vaccine hesitancy among those who are aged in their 20s and 30s.

Prof Spurrier, who has had her third shot, said getting vaccinated protected children aged under 12 because they were currently ineligible.

“People in this age group (20s and 30s) are likely to have younger children,” she said.

Professor Nicola Spurrier with students at The Heights School, Modbury Heights earlier this month. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

“And, as we know, children under 12 years of age are currently not eligible to have the vaccine and will be vulnerable once our borders reopen.

“Getting vaccinated will not only protect you but also vulnerable people in our community and children who cannot access the vaccine yet.

“When we reach 90 per cent vaccination, young adults will find they may not be able to take part in many forms of public activities unless they’re vaccinated, such as sporting events at Adelaide Oval and festivals such as WOMAD.”

Government data shows 9241 people have been approved to travel over state borders on Tuesday that ensures they will pass random police checks on their jab status.

At least 164 people will require seven days of quarantine and another five for a fortnight. At least 172 unvaccinated applications require exemptions.

Authorities will on Sunday reveal how Covid patients will be cared for at home. Health chiefs have enlisted community leaders and other agencies to blitz suburbs across the northern, western and southern suburbs.

These include Playford Council, where almost 20,000 or a quarter of residents are unprotected, and nearby Salisbury where nearly 23,5000 locals, or a fifth, are unprotected.

Coober Pedy has the state’s worst regional rates at more than a third, or 536 residents, followed by Roxby Downs with 34 per cent, or 1051 residents unvaccinated.

The gender divide has taken another twist, as 46,100 more women are now vaccinated, bucking a trend from last month that had men ahead by 52,000 last month.

More than a quarter of SA adults 16 years and older are fully vaccinated while 86.5 per cent have had a dose.

Authorities say restrictions will change when 90 per cent jab rates are achieved while borders will reopen on Tuesday near the magic 80 per cent benchmark.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, who will authorise all legal directions as state Covid co-ordinator, urged people to get vaccinated to stop the health system being overwhelmed.

“It is more important that we strive to get to 90 per cent of our population vaccinated – that’s when we can really make some changes,” said Mr Stevens, who’s had a booster jab.

“Ideally the more people vaccinated the better it is for the community.”

Prof Spurrier said authorities had sough help “for some time” with community leaders and agencies to help “reach into communities with low vaccination uptake”.