COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children Now Available

Vaccinations for children aged five to eleven are now available with parents and carers urged to talk to their child’s GP and book them in for an appointment as soon as possible.

Member for Oatley, Mark Coure, said this announcement is welcome news for local children and their families.

“As we continue to navigate our way through the COVID-19 pandemic, it is outstanding to see that NSW is leading the charge with some of the strongest rates of vaccination seen both throughout Australia and across the globe,” Mr Coure said.

“I strongly encourage parents and carers across the St George area to have the discussion with their child’s GP about getting vaccinated to help protect their families and our community from COVID-19.”

Premier, Dominic Perrottet, said the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be made available for the roughly 720,000 children in that age group across NSW.

“More than 18,000 kids aged five to eleven have caught COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, which highlights why vaccination is so important,” Premier Perrottet said.

“We saw a great vaccination response for children aged 12-15 years, so we hope parents will book in their younger children before they start or go back to school.”

“I want to also encourage anyone who has not yet received a COVID-19 vaccination to do so. This includes adults who had their second dose four months ago and are now due for a booster.”

Children aged five to eleven will be able to receive their COVID-19 vaccine in a range of centres and local community settings including general practitioners, community pharmacies, NSW Health clinics and other providers such as Aboriginal Medical Services.

NSW Health has so far delivered more than 326,027 booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines, in support of the Federal Government’s vaccine program.

People aged 18 years and older can get a booster at least four months after receiving their second dose of any of the COVID-19 vaccines registered for use in Australia.

Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard, said most parents have always embraced the public health messaging which has helped lift our childhood vaccination rates across NSW.

“Whether it be measles, whooping cough, Pneumococcal or Hepatitis B, parents in NSW have always listened to the science to help protect their kids,” Minister Hazzard said.

“No one wants to see their child in hospital and the best way we can safeguard our kids against COVID-19 and importantly, the elderly around them, is to get them vaccinated.”

NSW Chief Paediatrician, Dr Matthew O’Meara, said parents should protect their children against the risks of getting COVID-19.

“Everyone who can get vaccinated should get vaccinated whether they are healthy or not and it is especially important for kids who have underlying medical problems or are above a healthy weight,” Mr O’Meara said.

To book a COVID-19 vaccine, please visit: https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/booking/