Pop-up vaccination clinics to open at SA schools

Vaccine clinics are set to open at more than 20 SA schools as part of a six-week blitz to improve on the state’s low vaccination rates among teens. See the first schools on the list.

Vaccine clinics are set to open at schools across SA later this month, as the state continues to grapple with some of the lowest vaccination rates among 12-to-15-year-olds in the country.

Premier Steven Marshall said the program would start in 20 selected public schools and six private and Catholic schools in a bid to rapidly increase jab rates, but could be expanded.

The clinics will also be open on weekends so local community members can access the vaccination hubs.

“One thing we want to do is to make sure we can target those areas where we haven’t had the vaccination rate where we want it to be,” he said.

The Advertiser exclusively revealed on Sunday that vaccination clinics were on the way to schools – some to be housed in marquees on the oval – to boost vaccination rates among 12 to 15-year-olds.

Premier Steven Marshall at Roma Mitchell Secondary College announcing the pop-up vax clinics for schools. Picture: Tom Huntley

The first 18 schools confirmed to house pop-up clinics are:

■ Para Hills High School

■ Valley View Secondary School

■ Paralowie R-12 School

■ Kadina Memorial School

■ Underdale High School

■ Woodville High School

■ Port Augusta Secondary School

■ Findon High School

■ Mount Gambier High School

■ Loxton High School

■ Roma Mitchell Secondary College

■ Grant High School

■ Renmark High School

■ Charles Campbell College

■ Clare High School

■ Stuart High School

■ Reynella High School

■ Port Lincoln High School

SA has the second lowest double jab rate of people aged 12 to 15 in the country, with 3.17 per cent of the teen population vaccinated, according to federal government data as of Sunday night.

Western Australia has the lowest number in the nation with just 2.52 per cent of teens vaccinated.

In addition to lagging on double jab rates, SA has the third lowest numbers in the country of teenagers with one jab, narrowly beating Tasmania and WA at 26.71 per cent. NSW and Victoria have 67.97 per cent and 63.64 per cent of 12-to-15-year-olds with one jab respectively.

Health Minister Stephen Wade said the school immunisation program would be available to school staff and students aged 12 and up.

“We are determined to get young people vaccinated,” Mr Wade said.

“As we move towards our vaccination targets it is crucial that we not only continue to build our statewide vaccination levels, but that we ensure strong vaccination rates across geographical and cultural cohorts across the state.”

He added the schools program would run for six weeks.

“It’s intended that these secondary school clinics will be available on the weekends to be available also for the community.”

Originally published as Pop-up vaccination clinics to open at SA schools