More schools join SA vaccine program

Another 54 schools have been added to South Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination program to boost jab rates among students and their parents.

The extra schools, taking the number running vaccination clinics to 74, will help provide shots to an extra 34,000 students by the end of the school year.

The new schools have largely been located in areas around Adelaide and in regional centres where vaccine rates have been lower.

“Vaccination is the key to South Australians enjoying the freedom and mobility that we are all hoping for this Christmas,” Premier Steven Marshall said.

“The rapid expansion of the school-based hubs means that students and their families have a more convenient way to get vaccinated during this school term and ensure our school communities remain as safe as possible.”

SA is on track to reach its 80 per cent double-vaccinated target later this month and has set November 23 as the day when borders restrictions, including the hard border closures with NSW, Victoria and the ACT, will be eased.

The school vaccine clinics will be open to students aged 12 to 18 years with parental consent, as well as parents, siblings and school staff.