MEDIA RELEASE

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

10 January 2022

 Not enough vaccine for kids

The State Government has again bungled prioritising the safety of South Australians, and this time amongst our most vulnerable sector – children, according to Member for Frome Geoff Brock MP.

“Despite announcing on Monday morning, January 10, that our estimated 148,253 children aged 5-11 were eligible to have their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine before they returned to school at the end of the month, the reality is, that, according to SA Health, there is only enough paediatric vaccine available right now to immunise half of this number,” Mr Brock said.

Mr Brock said the government has known for months it would make paediatric vaccines available but now that they have announced the initiative, they failed to take supply into account.

“We are planning to send our kids back to school with only half of them having the advantage of their first vaccination against this insidious pandemic.

“This is another example of our government, which is, by the way, currently on holiday until May, not planning ahead.”

Mr Brock said pressure on vaccination clinics State-wide and staff absences due to illness caused by the Pandemic have seen some clinics close and a huge pressure placed on pharmacies to fill the gaps.

“It’s all very well to ask the community, both young and old, to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated, but if there is no vaccine available then we are failing in our duty of care as a government to look after South Australians.”

Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said vaccination was the best way to reduce a child’s risk of becoming seriously unwell if diagnosed with COVID-19.

Children are scheduled to receive two doses of the vaccine, eight weeks apart, with each dose for children one third of the dose for people aged 12 years and over.

In the Mid North the following clinics are offering appointments for 5–10-year-olds – Clare Pfizer Clinic, Port Pirie Vaccination Hub, Port Augusta Hospital, Quorn Hospital, as well as selected pharmacies.

ENDS