COVID-19 vaccinations will be made available in more than 50 additional South Australian schools, including several in the Limestone Coast, to make it easier for students and staff to get the vaccination before Christmas.

The new sites are on top of the 24 already-established SA Health school vaccination hubs and take the total number of school-based clinics to more than 70, with the potential to reach 34,000 students by the end of this term.

In the selection of locations priority has been given providing access to more vulnerable communities and communities with lower vaccination rates.

Limestone Coast schools added to the list include Gordon Education Centre, Meningie Area School and Naracoorte High School.

Premier Steven Marshall said that opening up more schools-based clinics will help accelerate South Australia’s push towards the double vaccination milestones set out in the state’s COVID Ready Plan.

“Vaccination is the key to South Australians enjoying the freedom and mobility that we are all hoping for this Christmas,” said Premier Marshall.

“The rapid expansion of the school-based hubs means that students and their families have a more convenient way to get vaccinated during this school term and ensure our school communities remain as safe as possible.

“With the festive season fast approaching, South Australians have Christmas in their hands.  If we all get behind the rollout and push up past the 90% double vaccination milestone, we can have a more normal Christmas.”

The school clinic expansion has been made possible through a partnership between the Commonwealth and their providers, SA Health, the Department for Education and the Catholic and independent school systems.

The vaccine will be available in schools to students aged 12 to 18 years old with parental consent, as well as parents, siblings and school staff.

Schools will communicate directly with families letting them know when the clinics will run.