Covid vaccine: vulnerable children now eligible for Pfizer in the ACT

Residents in that age bracket with underlying medical conditions who have a disability, or are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, will be able to book in for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Everybody aged 12 and over who is an NDIS participant will be included in the rollout, following recent approval of Pfizer for 12 to 15-year-olds from the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Medical conditions considered to conflate the risk of poor outcomes from Covid include severe asthma, diabetes, obesity, neurodevelopmental disorders and epilepsy. Young people with these conditions, as well as several other health concerns, are now encouraged to get vaccinated.

According to ACT Health, there are an estimated 600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged between 12 and 15 set to benefit.

Winnunga Nimmityjah chief executive Julie Tongs said the Aboriginal health service provider had been forced to turn away families with children in that demographic in the past.

She said with outbreaks happening in schools around the country it would be a relief to get more jabs in the arms of young people.

"The focus was on older people but now they realise it's younger people that are getting Covid and actually spreading it, it's really important for vulnerable children and young people to be vaccinated," Ms Tongs said.

The Narrabundah health centre currently administers between 50 to 60 vaccines a day, with bookings increasing again following a drop-off associated with mixed messaging around AstraZeneca, Ms Tongs said.

She said the health provider was in the process of hiring three new nurses to keep up with demand for vaccines.

IN OTHER COVID-19 NEWS:

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said opening vaccine bookings to vulnerable 12 to 15-year-olds marked another important step in the territory's COVID-19 vaccination rollout.

"We're ensuring the vaccine is available to the people who need it most," Ms Stephen-Smith said.

Appointments may be made at an ACT government clinic as well as several participating GPs.

Children and young people aged 12 to 15 with a disability are able to receive the vaccine at the ACT government's access and sensory clinic if they choose to.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: