Western Australian secondary students aged 16 and older will be able to walk in to designated State-run COVID-19 vaccination clinics from next week, while from the start of Term 4 the roll-out of a school-based vaccination program will commence.
The rolling school-based vaccination program for students 12 and above and school staff will begin at around 20 schools across WA next month.
Priority schools will include residential, agricultural and boarding colleges, as well as education support settings.
This is in addition to existing appointment-based vaccinations available now in Community Vaccination Centres (CVC) and GPs and is part of a multi-faceted approach to provide as many opportunities as possible for young people to get vaccinated.
From next week, the roll-out at CVCs will begin in Joondalup and Claremont; designated times will be available for walk-in opportunities outside of school hours for students aged 16 and above - many of whom are in Year 11 and 12.
During the school holidays, walk-in opportunities will be available at clinics in Midland, Kwinana and the city centre, as well as Joondalup and Claremont.
School staff are also able to access the dedicated vaccination slots without an appointment after school hours and during the school holidays.
The metropolitan clinics at Joondalup, Midland, Kwinana, CBD and Claremont are conveniently located near public transport and shopping centres.
Regional clinics will also offer walk-in opportunities for senior students and school staff in Coolgardie, Esperance, Kalgoorlie, Kambalda, Leonora, Norseman, Bunbury, Derby, Kununurra, Carnarvon and Geraldton. Further regional locations will be added soon.
Children in remote communities will be offered vaccinations as part of a broader community outreach vaccination program co-ordinated by WA Country Health Service.
WA Health State COVID-19 vaccination clinics are available in more than 100 locations across WA, with locations listed on the HealthyWA website. A range of GPs and GP respiratory clinics will also be able to provide the vaccine to children aged 12 years and older.
Visit http://www.rollup.wa.gov.au for more information about COVID-19 vaccines.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"If you are eligible, I urge you to get the COVID-19 vaccine now.
"Senior secondary students aged 16 and older and school staff should get along to one of the walk-in clinics as soon as you get the chance.
"It takes hardly any time and is a great opportunity for you to roll up your sleeve and help keep WA safe.
"With the new Vaccine Commander on board, we will continue to explore all options to ensure we can get as many Western Australians vaccinated as soon as possible."
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"I'm sure many parents of senior secondary students will be pleased that their teens can get vaccinated in one of the walk-in clinics.
"Parents and guardians also have the option of booking appointments using http://www.rollup.wa.gov.au or with a primary care provider.
"There are great opportunities for all Western Australians aged over 12 to now get vaccinated - this is an important conversation for families to have with their children and teenagers."
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"There are a number of additional ways students and school staff can now get vaccinated if they are unable to book an appointment and attend one of the existing clinics.
"I would encourage all eligible students and school staff to get vaccinated as soon as possible and play their part in helping protect the West Australian community.
"This is a busy period for our school students and staff but, as we draw to the end of this term, there is a greater opportunity for eligible people from our schools to get vaccinated."
