Vulnerable children will now be able to receive their first Covid vaccination under new national guidelines.
The State Government has announced at-risk children between six months and five years old can get a reduced dose of the jab to protect them against Covid.
Children living with conditions like chronic lung disease or a severe disability can now be protected with a paediatric dose of the Moderna vaccine, which has about a quarter of an adult dose.
Health Minister Chris Picton said he hopes to see more parents talking to their GPs to see if their children are eligible for vaccination.
“Expanding the Covid vaccine rollout will help protect our most vulnerable babies and children from becoming severely ill and ending up in hospital,” he said.
“I encourage parents who have kids with more acute needs to talk to their GP and see if their child is eligible to keep their families and the community safe.”
Acting chief public health officer Chris Lease said the rollout should provide important protection at a key stage of a child’s development.
“I would like to thank South Australian families who have taken steps to protect yourself, your loved ones, and our community by getting vaccinated against Covid,” Dr Lease said.
The Government recommends three doses of the vaccine for at-risk children with an eight-week gap between jabs.
According to the Federal Government’s vaccine clinic finder on Health Direct, only the Naracoorte Respiratory Clinic offers the jab to children between six months and five years old.
SA Health said it is working with the Commonwealth to source the paediatric doses for regional South Australia and is expecting to release more information about what that rollout will look like later in the month.
Visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/covidvaccine for more information or call the Clinical Advisory Service on 1300 232 272 for more information.
