Children on Kangaroo Island aged between 12 and 15 years old will be among the first to get the COVID-19 vaccine with bookings now open.

Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade says the Kangaroo Island vaccination clinic has opened appointments for residents of the Island aged 12 to 15 years following the latest advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

“SA Health’s vaccination rollout plan is to increase access to the COVID-19 vaccine in key areas.  Extending eligibility is a critical way to ensure that all residents of Kangaroo Island get appropriate and timely access to the vaccine.

“Kangaroo Islanders have rolled up to the vaccination clinics to protect themselves and their loved ones with more 3,700 doses administered so far and

I am proud we are able to extend the eligibility for the vaccine to around an additional 900 residents.”

In early August ATAGI recommended the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 years old, prioritising the rollout to children between 12 to 15 years old with specified medical conditions or who identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or in remote communities.

Rebecca Graham is Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network Chief Executive Officer.

She says that, due to Kangaroo Island’s remoteness, her network has been running the only COVID-19 vaccination clinics available on the Island since early June.

“Our staff have shown their ongoing commitment to keeping residents of the Island safe and healthy, with many playing their part to provide COVID-19 vaccines to the community.

“Along with opening up the vaccination clinic to children between 12 and 15 years, additional supplies of the vaccine mean we are also able to open extra first dose clinics for those Kangaroo Island residents who haven’t received their vaccine as yet.”

The additional Pfizer clinic will run between 13 and 18 September. Bookings for 12 to 15 year-olds must be made by calling 0468 576 150, while those aged 16 and over can book online.  

The clinic will also accept walk-in appointments for those aged 16 and over.

An additional AstraZeneca clinic will be run on Kangaroo Island for first doses between 20 September and 2 October, with online bookings and walk-in appointments also available.