South Australians will be able to arm themselves further against COVID-19 with booster shots of the vaccine available to the community from December 1.
Premier Steven Marshall said that those aged 18 years and over, who received their second dose at least six months ago, will soon be eligible to receive their booster dose of the vaccine.
“Vaccination is our pathway out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the State Government is determined to make sure that every eligible person in our state has access to the vaccine,” said Premier Marshall.
“We are delivering our COVID-Ready plan to keep South Australia safe as we move to live with the virus once we relax our borders later this month, and end the pain of statewide lockdowns and statewide lockouts.
“While we will see cases of COVID-19 in our community, we are doing everything we can to continue to protect South Australians and to keep our state’s economy strong.
“Providing our community with access to a booster dose of the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine is yet another layer of protection available to South Autralians from 1 December.
“We are also encouraging South Australians who are yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to do their part and roll up their sleeves to get vaccinated.
“Every jab gets us closer to fully vaccinating 90 percent of our community aged 12 and over, which will see even further easing of restrictions throughout the state and will provide a massive boost to our economy.”
Bookings for Pfizer booster doses will be available at all SA Health COVID-19 vaccination clinics. The Pfizer vaccine as a booster dose will be available to all eligible people regardless of which vaccine was administered for the first two doses.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said that booster doses would be available from today for frontline workers who received their vaccinations as part of phase 1A when the rollout first began, including frontline hospital, GP and testing clinic staff, medi-hotel and quarantine pathway workers, aged and disability care staff and residents.
“Frontline workers and vulnerable aged care and disability residents were the first to roll up their sleeves to protect themselves, their loved ones and the community and we are ensuring they have priority access to booster doses of vaccine,” said Minister Wade.
“Priority access to the booster doses will give this at-risk cohort increased protection before COVID-19 enters our state and helps our essential frontline workers to continue to perform their vital roles, while providing an extra layer of protection to those they come into contact with.
“Eligible workers and aged care and disability residents will be able to walk-in to any SA Health vaccination clinic from today to receive their booster dose.”
Frontline staff will need to show their employee identification at the clinic and will also be able to book online for their booster dose from 8 November.
Deputy Chief Public Health Officer, Dr Emily Kirkpatrick, said many of those in Phase 1A of the rollout are now due for their booster dose.
“While booster doses are not mandatory, I strongly encourage all eligible workers to roll up their sleeves to maintain their immunity against the virus by having a third dose,” said Dr Kirkpatrick.
“The Therapeutic Goods Administration has found the booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 18 years and older both safe and effective to provide an additional level of immunity and protection for South Australians.
“A booster dose will continue to protect you, your loved ones and your community against COVID-19.”
Find out more about COVID-19 vaccinations at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/covidvaccine.
