Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout has passed another milestone, with four-in-five of all 12- to 15-year-olds now fully vaccinated against the virus.
It comes as the country on Wednesday recorded the highest number of new daily cases for more than two months.
Swan Hill LGA yesterday recorded 32 new cases, with 172 active, bringing its total ever cases to 3475.
The most recent vaccination figures showed the double-vaccination rate for the age group passed the 80 per cent mark.
Those in the 12-15 age group are not yet eligible to receive a booster dose, with third doses only available to those 16 and over.
However, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation is considering data from the pharmaceutical company Pfizer to allow a third dose to be approved for 12- to 15-year-olds.
The expert panel is reviewing data on epidemiology, serious illness and its use in the age group overseas.
Nationally, 66,974 cases were registered on Wednesday, the highest daily number of infections for more than two months.
The last time national daily case numbers were higher, it was more than 75,000 – recorded on January 20 during the height of the summer Omicron wave.
On Wednesday, there were 34 deaths recorded including 15 in NSW, seven in Victoria, five in Queensland, three in Western Australia, two in South Australia, and one in both the Northern Territory and Tasmania.
It comes as Australia’s booster rate climbed to 67.7 per cent of the eligible population, according to the latest statistics.
From next week, a fourth dose – or second booster – will be rolled out to older and vulnerable Australians, ahead of a predicted winter surge of cases.
