The Delta strain of the COVID-19 virus is raising heightened concerns about the health of children, as Illawarra parents and politicians call for the expansion of the vaccine rollout to younger teens.
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Almost 30 per cent of COVID infections since the end of June have occurred among people aged 19 or under, and those hospitalised with the illness include teenagers.
This week, chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said outbreaks were occurring in childcare centres, "a feature we haven't seen in previous outbreaks because the Delta strain seems to be able to transmit more in the childhood setting".
The Therapeutic Goods Administration last month approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 12 to 15.
Since then, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has recommended that children in this age group receive the vaccine if they are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, live in remote communities, or have certain health conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID-19.
But the national rollout has not reached the younger cohort yet, with 16- to 39-year-olds only widely able to access the vaccine from August 30.
Whitlam MP Stephen Jones wants to see all children aged over 12 vaccinated.
"We just want our kids to be safe, we want our kids to go back to school, we want them to be able to do all the things teenagers do," Mr Jones said.
His parliamentary colleague, ACT Senator Katy Gallagher, has confirmed her 14-year-old daughter Evie is ill with COVID.
The Labor member said other countries were vaccinating children and he called on the regulator to take that step, too.
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"We need a very clear decision out of ATAGI about this," Mr Jones said.
Koonawarra mother Rhiannon Reynolds wants to see her children vaccinated.
Two of her children - Jason Hoffman, 12 and Breanna Hoffman, 13 - are within the age range for which the TGA has approved the Pfizer vaccine. Miss Reynolds believes children should be vaccinated before they return to school.
"If they're not, they're going to bring it home to everyone in the house," she said.
She is particularly concerned about Jason, due to respiratory issues he suffered while young, and epilepsy (ATAGI does currently recommend that children with epilepsy receive the vaccine).
"I do worry about them all being together at school while there's still COVID," Miss Reynolds said.
She has received two doses of the vaccine, while her partner Glenn Hoffman is booked in for his shots.
ATAGI says it will make recommendations to the government on the use of the vaccine for all children aged 12 to 15 in the coming months, after reviewing such factors as overseas vaccination programs and the risk of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said planning, should ATAGI issue that advice, was under way.
"This is a matter that we've dealt with regularly ... at National Cabinet in terms of the state based systems for potential school based vaccination programs," Mr Morrison said.
"The work is already under way on how that could be done and planned together with the Commonwealth and the state and territory administrations."
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
