NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian thanked young people and ‘those doing it tough’ during a press conference on Thursday.
Her comments came after a reporter asked the Premier whether young people had been expected to make sacrifices to protect older Australians whilst being denied vaccinations.
“You are asking a lot of young people," the reporter said.
"Young people cancelling their weddings, losing their jobs, businesses going down the drain, suicide rates are going up, but young people cannot get vaccinated."
The Premier said she has argued for more vaccinations for the state and that Australia’s vaccination rollout is managed by the federal government.
“I especially want to thank young people, as does Dr Chant… we want to make sure not only that they are supported but also that we appreciate the sacrifices people are making,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“It doesn't matter what walk of life you are from, what your background or your age. It's a very challenging time,” she added.
Dr Chant attracted criticism on Wednesday after claiming hospital numbers were a “wake up call” to young Australians, despite most people under 40 being ineligible to get Pfizer vaccinations.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant. Source: AAP
As of Thursday, 17 people in hospital are under the age of 55. Of those in hospital, 10 are under the age of 35.
Of the 11 people in intensive care units, one person is in their 30s.
Dr Chant said on Thursday that “young people have a great role to play” in curbing COVID-19 cases.
“We know that young people care dearly about their loved ones. And they wouldn't want to put them at risk."
"So if Granny says they want to have a visit, please do it on the phone or Face Time."
Dr Chant encouraged young people to reach out through their social networks, adding, "they can do that quicker than our contact tracers can.
"They can make sure they are encouraging high rates of testing among their social groups."
Australia's vaccine rollout for young people
Professor Alexandra Martiniuk from The University of Sydney’s School of Public Health said the hospitalisation of young Australians is a reminder that COVID can cause severe illness in all ages.
She said compared to other high-income countries such as the UK, US and Canada, young Australians are much less likely to be vaccinated.
“[Young people not being vaccinated] increases their risk of catching and transmitting COVID and getting more sick if they are infected with COVID,” she said.
Source: AAP Image
“Australia, as most countries have done – has prioritised health workers, those in high-risk jobs and those at highest risk of hospitalisation and death.”
UNSW infection control expert Professor Marylouise McLaws said young people should have been offered Pfizer sooner, “rather than waiting for the 40 year olds to get vaccinated.”
She said young people have a bigger social network, and as a result, they’ve had a larger burden of infection.
“We're just focusing on the elderly, we're focusing on the privileged, and we're not focusing on the struggling, you know, 20 to 39-year-old group,” Professor McLaws said.
“If you really want to protect the elderly, put these young things at the front of the queue and then you won't have transmission.”
Professor McLaws believes due to a lack of vaccinations, we'll start to see those aged five to 12 having more infections.
“Epidemiologically, they could stop the spread by offering Pfizer [to young people] now,” she said.
“You don't want Delta to get past the young into the elderly, because the elderly won't be perfectly immune, even if they are vaccinated.”
Professor McLaws stressed that NSW’s surge in cases could’ve been avoided if the state was locked down earlier and with tougher restrictions introduced.
“You don't rely on contact tracing, as your first preventative measure. That won't work for Delta, because it is so infectious.”
