Vaccination bookings are now open for ‘at-risk’ children aged six months to five years. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The ACT has recorded 202 (87 PCR and 115 RAT) new COVID-19 infections in the 24 hours to 8 pm yesterday and the government has announced vaccination bookings can now be made for ‘at-risk’ children aged between six months and five years.
Locally, there are now 1254 active infections – a figure that continues to decline.
Since the pandemic began almost 18 months ago, there have been 202,308 COVID-19 infections in the Territory. As that number grows, it’s expected more repeat infections will occur.
There are now 100 people in the Territory’s hospitals with the virus. Of these, one person is in the ICU but does not require ventilation.
Yesterday, the Territory recorded the lowest number of infections all year (148).
Parents and carers can now book their young children in for COVID-19 vaccination today following updated advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group (ATAGI).
Appointments are available from next Monday (5 September) at the government’s Weston Creek vaccination clinic.
ATAGI recommended the Moderna (Spikevax) COVID-19 vaccine be made available for children in this age group who are severely immunocompromised, have a disability or have complex and/or multiple health conditions.
It’s estimated around 1300 children will be eligible for a vaccine.
Eligible babies and children need two doses, eight weeks apart. Those who are severely immunocompromised will require three doses, eight weeks apart.
Any parent or guardian with concerns is encouraged to consult with a health specialist. Bookings will also be available at some ACT General Practices. Bookings at participating GPs can be made using the Vaccine Clinic Finder.
Bookings can be made by calling the ACT COVID-19 booking line on 5124 3999.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet with state and territory leaders as part of National Cabinet tomorrow. Photo: Supplied.
State and territory leaders will meet tomorrow at National Cabinet to discuss a number of pandemic-related issues.
It’s expected the topic of isolation periods and the aeroplane mask mandate will be up for discussion.
In June, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) reversed its airport mask mandate, but face coverings continue to be mandatory on planes.
At the time, AHPPC said the terminal mask mandate was “no longer proportionate”.
Canberra Airport chief executive Stephen Byron had threatened legal action over the issue, but this was walked back once the mandate was lifted.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has been vocal in calling for the seven-day COVID-19 isolation period to be shortened to five.
Some want to go further, calling for COVID-19 isolation to be scrapped entirely.
Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes told ABC radio this morning that people will soon stop complying with testing and isolation – particularly when federal government support payments finish in September.
“This is trying to get ahead of that curve, so you can actually live with COVID-19 going forward as opposed to … having a community that is not necessarily listening,” he said
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made it clear it’s his desire for states and territories to move in lockstep and reach a consensus on their pandemic response.
Interstate, NSW has reported 37 deaths overnight and 4271 new cases of COVID-19.
There are now 1834 people in hospital with the virus and 40 patients in ICUs around the state.
The state’s health department said COVID-19-related deaths are notified from a range of sources and not all occurred in the week in which they are reported as there is sometimes a delay between a death occurring and it being notified.
Victoria has recorded 18 deaths overnight and 2950 cases of COVID-19.
There are 337 people hospitalised with the virus and 22 patients in the state’s intensive care units.
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