This week Q+A puts young people front and centre - on the panel and sending in questions from around the country.

The Delta variant is radically changing the face of COVID and we're seeing a rising number of infections in children and teens.

Schools have become the new battleground, with outbreaks among students across states and exams delayed or cancelled. In Melbourne, playgrounds are closed and a curfew is back in place, as part of stricter lockdown measures.

The Federal Government has announced that all people aged 16 to 39 will be eligible for a COVID vaccine by the end of August, however many who are keen to be immunised still face a long wait.

Is it time to reconsider the focus on vulnerable adult groups? What are the particular needs of young people when it comes to vaccine access and information? How are the ongoing lockdowns in NSW and Victoria affecting school and university students? And what about those young people losing their jobs and career paths due to COVID? Are we giving young people enough of a say in all this? 

Joining Virginia Trioli on the panel:

Norman Swan, Aus. Research Alliance for Children and Youth and Coronacast presenter
Anthea Rhodes, Paediatrician and child health researcher
Fiona Russell, Paediatrician and epidemiologist
Petria Houvardas, Year 12 student from Sydney
Arth Tuteja, Year 11 student from Melbourne
 
Please submit a question via our website by 9am Thursday for the chance to ask the panel.

Scroll down to watch Thursday's toughest question asked by Mustafa Aszali, who asked what the Australian government’s response will be if the Taliban break their promise of a peaceful transfer of power. 👇

Watch Q+A Thursday at 8.30pm on ABC TV, streamed live 8.30pm AEST on ABC iview or on our website.