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'Disturbing' vaccine reveal as children prepare for school return

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has shared his concern over a “disturbing” Covid vaccination statistic as kids prepare to return to school at the end of the month.

During a press conference on Monday, state officials assured parents and teachers that the government had put measures in place to assure classroom learning could return in a “safe way”.

However, Mr Hazzard said he was worried about a gap in the vaccination rate amongst children.

“What is disturbing for me is — the good news is that 95 per cent of adults, so 16 and plus, have had their first dose, 93.9 have had their second dose — but those adults have children…” he said.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard pictured during a press conference at NSW Health Headquarters in St Leonards, Sydney, Monday, January 24, 2022.  Source: AAP
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has shared his concern over a “disturbing” Covid vaccination statistic. Source: AAP

“Their children in the 12 to 15-year-old age group are sitting somewhere between 12 and 15 per cent lower than the number of vaccinations that adults have had.

“Can I just say to those parents that we all have obligations as parents to make sure our kids are kept as safe as possible,” he said, urging them to get their kids vaccinated if they have not yet.

NSW Health reports that 82.7 per cent of kids aged 12 to 15 have had one dose, with only 78.4 per cent fully vaccinated.

For children aged between five and 11, 28 per cent have had their first jab.

Brothers Louise and Harry Taylor-Bishop pose for a photo after receiving their first vaccine at Kippa Ring Communication Vaccination Clinic, Brisbane, Monday, January 10, 2022. Source: AAP
For children aged between five and 11, 28 per cent have had their first jab. Source: AAP

Mr Hazzard's comments come after it was revealed an extra two million rapid antigen tests will be delivered to NSW schools before lessons resume for 2022 with the government promising classrooms will stay open even if students test positive.

Two test kits per week will be issued to pupils and staff across 3,000 primary and secondary schools throughout February. About 5,000 early education and childcare centres are also included in the scheme.

Covid pandemic will continue to throw 'curveballs'

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Monday he was confident in the “massive operation” involving RATs.

“Already today we have five million rapid antigen tests that have been distributed to schools across our state and the rest are following over the next day,” he said.

A 'Welcome Back to School' banner hangs on the fence as students in years 2-11 return to school at Fairvale High School in Sydney in October. Source: AAP
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Monday that it is "incredibly important" kids return to classrooms. Source: AAP

“It’s incredibly important we have kids back in the classrooms,” the premier added, assuring “anxious” parents he was confident the right decision had been made.

However, Mr Perrottet did admit that the future of the pandemic is unknown.

“This pandemic will continue to provide curve balls coming our way,” he said.

“But what we can do as a state, and what we have done over the last two years, is continue to make those efforts and sacrifices like getting vaccinated and getting boostered.”

On Monday, NSW and Victoria's daily Covid case numbers dropped significantly again.

NSW’s virus-related deaths have also decreased, with 24 lives lost, while another 17 people have died in Victoria.

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