Canberra children aged five to 11 will be eligible for a second COVID-19 vaccine dose from next week, as infections in the national capital continue to rise, especially among young adults.
The ACT recorded 794 new cases over the past day, bringing the total number of Canberrans known to be infected above 4,300.
The weekly caseload is now at its highest level in more than a month.
However, the number of patients with the virus in hospital continues to fall.
ACT Health says 35 people are hospitalised, of whom two are in intensive care and one needs ventilation.
After declining in late January, the number of COVID-19 cases in the ACT began to increase once again in early February, when school-aged children returned to classes.
The return of Australian National University students to campus late last month also coincided with a surge in new cases.
About 800 of the university's students have reported a COVID-19 infection.
The government's latest epidemiological report says young adults — those aged 18 to 24 — made up most of the cases detected in the second half of February.
The infection rate for every other age group fell, including children of primary and high school age.
Almost 80 per cent of young children have had a vaccine shot
Meanwhile, bookings at the ACT's main vaccination clinic at the Australian Institute of Sport will open to children seeking a second dose from Monday.
ACT deputy chief health officer Vanessa Johnston said children aged five to 11 were eligible for the shot eight weeks after they received their first dose.
"We all know now that vaccination is the best way that we can protect ourselves, including our children, from the risk of COVID-19," Dr Johnston said.
"It's been so encouraging to see such a high update in the ACT for first doses in this age group, with nearly 80 per cent of five to 11-year-olds now having received one dose.
Dr Johnston said a second dose would help to protect children against infection during winter, when a larger outbreak was more likely.
Children who received their first dose at an ACT government clinic would already have a booking for a second dose.
However, Dr Johnston said parents of children who were vaccinated by a GP or pharmacist could call ACT Health on 02 5124 7700 for an appointment.
