DAVID KOCH:
Sixteen and 17 year olds are now eligible for a booster shot with ATAGI approving the jab for the age group from today.
Ninety per cent of the cohort are already double vaccinated, with more than 60 per cent now due their third dose.
NATALIE BARR:
The announcement comes as school returns right across the country. But for states where the start of Term 1 was delayed, it gives senior students a window to get their third jab before heading back into the classroom.
DAVID KOCH:
Joining us now Health Minister, Greg Hunt. Minister, good news. Took a bit of time to get this one approved. Is there enough supply and resources to cater for them?
GREG HUNT:
Yes, there is. There’s enough now for every 16 to 18-year-old to go out and be vaccinated. What we know is, exactly as you’ve said, we’ve got an over 91 per cent rate of vaccination rate amongst that age group already.
And as of today, we’ll have enough for over 370,000 eligible teenagers to go immediately. The broader grouping is over 580,000 so we really want to encourage all of those teenagers to complete their first dose, or their second dose if they haven't, and to come forward for their boosters.
I’ve got a 16-year-old daughter who has been saying: Dad, when can I get my booster? And I said to her this morning: as of today.
And so I think for parents and for teenagers around the country, this is their chance to come forward. Already we’ve had over 8.4 million boosters, so to add these extra people, more protection and more comfort for families.
NATALIE BARR:
Yep. They’re almost adults, aren't they at 16, we all know that. Now, we hear-
GREG HUNT:
[Indistinct] I can tell you.
NATALIE BARR:
Don’t we know it. Now, we’re hearing this morning, Minister, that Novak Djokovic will get his COVID vaccination his biographer claims.
DAVID KOCH:
Well done. Congratulations on convincing him.
NATALIE BARR:
Exactly. Seeing that, you know, Rafa win that Grand Slam has maybe got him over the line. What are your thoughts on this?
GREG HUNT:
Look, I'm happy for anybody anywhere to be vaccinated. And if in some small way, as a country, we’ve encouraged Novak or any other individual to do that, that’s great.
But you know what’s much more important? I think that will encourage more people who have been hesitant to be vaccinated, and that would be the real win out of this.
So, I hadn’t heard that. I'm delighted if that is the case. But to everybody, it doesn’t matter where you are - whether you’re overseas or in Australia –
DAVID KOCH:
Yeah.
GREG HUNT:
First dose, second dose, booster-
DAVID KOCH:
Alright.
GREG HUNT:
Whatever it is you are eligible for; it will help protect you. Please come forward. Yeah
DAVID KOCH:
Okay. See the headlines there: Minister turns Djokovic. Well done. Congratulations.
GREG HUNT:
Well, I’m not claiming it.
DAVID KOCH:
Yes you are.
GREG HUNT:
But if, as a country, we’ve helped. I think that’s a good outcome.
DAVID KOCH:
Alright.
NATALIE BARR:
Well done.
DAVID KOCH:
Thanks for joining us.
NATALIE BARR:
Thank you, Minister.