Jeremy Rockliff,Minister for Health
Tasmania's first Year 11 and 12 students aged 16 and above will receive the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine tomorrow (Monday, August 23) at Elizabeth College.
Up to 800 students will be vaccinated in specially organised clinics run by the Department Health in partnership with the Department of Education.
Six nurse immunisers will be on-site from Monday to Wednesday, with teachers also able to get vaccinated if they haven't already.
Year 11 and 12 students from neighbouring high schools at Ogilvie and New Town will also be able to access the clinic.
The clinic is part of the Tasmania Government's "Super Six" week vaccination blitz, which aims to boost vaccination rates by the middle of September.
The schools program will move on to Claremont College later in the week, before visiting Hobart College from August 30 and Rosny College from September 9. It will then progress to schools in the North and North-West shortly after that.
College clinics have been brought forward with the aim of minimising disruption to the study and examination schedule.
This age group has also been prioritised in recognition that they are socially active and are key drivers of transmission of the Delta variant of COVID-19 across the country.
Whilst vaccinations in this cohort is not mandatory evidence from across the world shows that by getting vaccinated, people are less likely to pass the virus onto others.
By taking up the offer of a vaccine young people will protect their families, loved ones and the wider community.
Getting vaccinated will also enable Tasmania to keep on top of COVID-19 and allow our young people to continue doing the things they love.
Students and parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to discuss the vaccine beforehand and complete the consent form together, but in some circumstances students may be able to give their own consent following discussions with a nurse immuniser.
Vaccine information resources will be provided to parents and students ahead of vaccination day.
