An 702.9% increase in ICU admissions for COVID-19 for children aged 0-9 yrs in 2022

New data from the Australian and New Zealand Intenstive Care Society show that in 2022, there was a 702.9% increase in ICU admissions for COVID-19 for children aged 0-9 yrs. Every day, one child in Australia is admitted to ICU for COVID-19. COVID-19 kills young people: since Oct 2021 to March 2023, there have been already 34 deaths in children & young people 0-19 years that have been directly attributed to COVID-19. [1]

Aside from the risk of severe consequences requiring hospitalisation in the  acute phase of infection, even apparently mild-cases of COVID-19 increase the risk of diseases that increase child mortality, including blood clots, kidney failure, and heart problems. Long COVID risks are similar for children and adults [2], and is very common: long COVID results from 1 in 10 infections. 

We ask you to continue sharing this petition to get more support to urge the minister to act. We have been collaborating with Clean Air Collective to engage directly with ATAGI, but ATAGI have thus far refused to engage with us. Children remain the most disadvantaged from the pandemic as they stand to face the largest number of repeat COVID-19 infections than any other generation. In Australia, they face further disadvantage, as the government withholds  protection offered by vaccines and boosters from children in Australia. 

[1] monash.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/3213779/SPRINT-SARI-2022-Annual-Report.pdf

[2] https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/long-covid-risk-similar-for-kids-and-adults-study

[3] https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/covid-19/long-covid-in-australia-a-review-of-the-literature/summary