An additional Pfizer clinic will open on the island from September 13 to 18, with bookings over the phone compulsory for children in the 12 to 15 age bracket.

Health Minister Stephen Wade said the decision followed advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation to prioritise vaccines for children in the age group with a medical condition or if they identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or in remote communities.

“Today we are now opening up COVID-19 vaccinations to children aged 12 to 15 years residing on Kangaroo Island in a state-first move that I am confident will be welcomed by the local community,” Wade said.

“Kangaroo Islanders have rolled up to the vaccination clinics to protect themselves and their loved ones with more 3,700 doses administered so far and I am proud we are able to extend the eligibility for the vaccine to around an additional 900 residents.”

According to the lastet Federal Government vaccination data, 1,151,801 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in South Australia, with 30.1 per cent of the eligible population in the state fully vaccinated.