The McGowan Government has expanded eligibility criteria for COVID-19 vaccinations to enable Western Australian children aged 12 to 15 to receive a Pfizer vaccination and parents are urged to go on online from tomorrow to book appointments.
From 8.30am, Monday September 13, parents and guardians can visit https://rollup.wa.gov.au, register their children as a dependant under their account and book them an appointment at a State-run vaccination clinic.
Australian Bureau of Statistics population estimates (as at June 30, 2020) show there are 132,848 Western Australians aged 12 to 15 inclusive.
WA Health State COVID-19 vaccination clinics are available in more than 100 locations across WA, with locations listed on the HealthyWA website. A range of GPs and GP respiratory clinics will also be able to provide the vaccine to children aged 12 years and older from Monday, September 13.
The newest State-run vaccination clinic opened Monday at the Centrepoint Shopping Centre in Midland.
Children aged 12 to 15 years old with specific medical conditions, who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and/or who live in remote communities, are already eligible for the Pfizer vaccination. Parents are encouraged to contact their GP to discuss further.
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 12 to 15 years old are already eligible to access vaccinations through State-run vaccination clinics in regional and metropolitan areas, in addition to GPs and Aboriginal Medical Services. Children in remote Aboriginal communities will be offered vaccinations as part of broader community outreach vaccination programs.
There have been more than 1.9 million vaccinations administered to Western Australians across the State.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"More than 57 per cent of Western Australians have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine but that rate needs to be rising.
"From tomorrow, if you're 12 or 20, or like myself you're even older than that, you're eligible to get the COVID vaccine and I'd encourage you to get vaccinated because this is our best chance out of this pandemic.
"With the new Vaccine Commander appointed we will continue to explore all options to ensure we can get as many Western Australians vaccinated as possible."
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"I'm sure many parents of children in this age group are very keen to get their kids vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they can.
"From tomorrow, parents and guardians can go on to https://rollup.wa.gov.au, register their children and then book them an appointment.
"Parents and guardians also have the option of booking their child into a GP for the vaccination."
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"This is an opportunity for all Western Australians aged over 12 to now get vaccinated
and it is an important conversation for families to have with their children.
"Getting the COVID vaccine will better protect more people, their families and their friends."
