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SA looks to lift COVID-19 vaccination rate

Tim DorninAAP
Deputy Public Health Officer Emily Kirkpatrick says vaccination rates across SA are patchy.
Camera IconDeputy Public Health Officer Emily Kirkpatrick says vaccination rates across SA are patchy. Credit: AAP

Patchy vaccination rates across Adelaide remain a concern but health officials are banking on a walk-in weekend across the city's clinics to boost numbers.

The state government will also open two new vaccination centres in coming weeks as the state closes in on 80 per cent of the eligible population having received their first dose.

"We are urging anyone who is not vaccinated to come out this weekend and help us reach and pass the 80 per cent milestone," Health Minister Stephen Wade said.

"Two million doses of the vaccine have now been provided to South Australians and more than 60 per cent of eligible South Australians are now fully vaccinated."

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But Deputy Public Health Officer Emily Kirkpatrick said vaccination rates remained patchy, with some suburbs in Adelaide's north yet to hit 50 per cent and vaccine bookings falling.

"We know there are many reasons why people are delaying being vaccinated," she said on Friday.

"While we see gaps, we have to make it as easy as possible for people to get vaccinated."

Mr Wade said SA remained on track to reach 80 per cent double dosed in early December and hoped to push rates beyond that.

But he said the government was still waiting on modelling before finalising the state's pathway out of border closures and local virus restrictions.

"From 80 per cent we'll be relaxing our borders and other measures but it will be done gradually," the minister said.

"We are going to continue to follow the health advice."

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