SA Health figures reveal state’s child Covid vax rate

More than half of SA’s eligible schoolchildren are vaxxed up and ready to go, new figures show, but rates are slowing as schools gear up.

Tens of thousands of South Australian children have been vaccinated against Covid-19, a month after the paediatric jab program was launched, new figures show.

On the eve of school returning for all students, SA Health data shows 77,063 children aged five to 11 have received their first Pfizer vaccination since January 10. More than half of SA’s 148,253 eligible youngsters are immunised, but rates have slowed.

Over the past week, 5,344 kids were vaccinated, compared to 21,000 in late January.

Chief public health officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, said she was encouraged by the numbers.

“I am very pleased more than half of all South Australian children have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine as schools prepare for full return,” she said.

“The importance of childhood vaccinations cannot be underestimated, in terms of protecting children against serious infectious diseases, now including Covid-19.”

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

Covid authorities do not believe a second wave will erupt after full classes begin Monday Modelling predicts a “blip” in cases.

New Education Department data shows that 40 per cent of students that were meant to be home schooling had in fact returned to the classroom. Almost 90 per cent of pupils allowed to attend school were also on campus from reception, years 1, 7, 8, and 12.

Officials say the latest tranche of easing restrictions will be dependant on the rise in case numbers over the next fortnight.

SA Health figures show 12,366 children younger than nine have contracted Covid since the start of the pandemic, compared with 17,164 of those aged between 10 and 19.

Prof Spurrier said the jab was the best way to reduce a child’s risk of serious illness if they catch Covid-19.

She said it was generally mild in children but it was possible they could become severely ill, especially with pre-existing health conditions.

Federal authorities believe 80 per cent of children will be eventually be jabbed.

Youngsters will receive two jabs, eight weeks apart, with each dose a third the size of those for 12 years and over.

SA Health on Saturday said that a woman aged in her 90s had died.

It also reported 1,372 new cases, which was 73 fewer than Friday but data errors identified a further 135 cases.

There are 213 patients in hospital, three more than Friday and 17 people in ICU – a rise of one in 24 hours.

A new row has erupted over Covid-safe election voting after Labor Senator Don Farrell accused the state government of poor planning.

He said last week in Canberra, the Senate passed “vital” laws to allow Covid-affected people to vote by telephone in the federal poll.

“The measures allow those isolated due to a positive result, or being a close contact, to securely verify themselves by phone and complete a ballot – in the same way available to the vision impaired,” Mr Farrell said.

New state rules will be announced early this week.