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Mums join race to vaccinate, signing their teens up for a ‘back to school’ jab

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When the race to vaccinate welcomed 12-to-15-year-olds on 13 September, Floraville mother-of-two Yvonne Sarich says COVID-19 suddenly became personal.

Having had her own two jabs without issue, the part-time admin assistant was looking forward to increased freedoms and an escape from lockdown when NSW Health announced teenagers were next in line.

Despite being keen to see a return to the classroom for her 11 and 13-year-old, Mrs Sarich admits she was nervous about effects the vaccine might have on her children.

“It was an easy decision when it was for myself and my husband but I hadn’t thought about whether or not I’d have the kids vaccinated,” she said.

Mrs Sarich is not alone, with many Hunter parents finding the translation of NSW Health messages and the pros and cons of particular vaccines a minefield.

“I understand we have to do this but what vaccine do we choose, is one better than the other for their age group?”

After weeks of online research and conversations with her GP, Mrs Sarich has booked her son Liam for his first jab early next month.

“I’m doing this because I feel it’s the only way to get him back to school, and sport, and his friends,” she said.

Liam will soon join the 20% of 12-to-15-year-olds in NSW who have had one dose of COVID-19 vaccine to date.

His action comes after the Australian Government Department of Health recommended teens join the race to vaccinate on 27 August.

From Monday 27 September, more than 1,800 pharmacies across Australia will have received Moderna doses, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian urging all parents to consider getting their children vaccinated in time for the staggered reopening of schools from 25 October.

Bookings for COVID-19 vaccine are available through GPs, Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations. 

People who turn 12 during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout will be able to get vaccinated if they meet criteria for vaccination at that time.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been approved for use in people aged 12 and over. AstraZeneca is approved for use in people aged 18 and older.

Anyone who gets vaccinated must provide appropriate consent, including 12-to-17-year-olds who will be asked to offer verbal consent at the time of their vaccination.

A child’s parent or guardian can attend the vaccine appointment with them.

According to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute there have been no recorded COVID-19 associated deaths in children under 19 years of age in Australia.

There have been positive cases of COVID-19 recorded in Australian children however, with numbers to 17 August including 2,877 children aged 0-9 years of age and 4,220 children aged 10-19.

Infants, children and young people are proportionally less likely to be infected than adults.

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