Bondi, Byron Bay, Dubbo revealed to have lowest vaccination rates in NSW

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the parts of NSW with the lowest rates of vaccinations. Find out if you live near one.

Flying doctors and army medics will launch an emergency vaccination blitz in western NSW where vulnerable communities are completely exposed to Covid-19 due to a slow vaccine rollout.

As the number of Covid-19 cases in Western NSW grew to 116 on Tuesday, new state government data shows regions including Dubbo, Wilcannia, White Cliffs and Bourke have only 10 to 19 per cent of the population fully vaccinated.

The regions are far behind the top-performing suburbs in the state, which includes Edmondson Park in Sydney where 60 to 69 per cent of people are fully vaccinated and more than 90 per cent have had at least one dose.

NSW COVID-19 VACCINATION MAP

Use the hamburger button to select vaccinations by first and second dose over time. After selecting your option, click the menu again to show the new map. Source: NSW Government

It comes as NSW recorded 452 new cases and one death on Tuesday.

In Sydney, Bondi Beach — the initial ground zero of the current Covid-19 outbreak — significantly behind neighbouring postcodes with only 20 to 29 per cent of the population fully vaccinated.

Despite having a slow start, the vaccination rates in south west Sydney where the Covid-19 outbreak is ravaging community now has a steady number of first doses administered.

In Liverpool, Bankstown, Bonnyrigg and Georges Hall 40 to 49 per cent of people have had at least one dose.

Schoefields has had a strong jab take up, with between 80 and 89 per cent of the 7,592 people eligible for the vaccine having had at least one dose.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned that Covid cases are likely to “rise substantially” over the coming weeks. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

In Cabramatta and Revesby 50 to 59 per cent of people have had one dose of vaccine. Elsewhere Blackdown and Paramatta have about 40 to 49 per cent of people with a first dose.

However the rate is extremely low in nearby Silverwater, where only 10 to 19 per cent of the 4,166 people eligible in the area have had one dose, and less than 10 per cent are fully vaccinated.

The vaccination rates could also vary due to some postcodes being home to younger people who have not been eligible for the jab for as long as older residents.

There has been a lower rate of vaccination in the Byron Bay area, which has been known to attract those who have an anti-vaccination stance.

Only 10 to 19 per cent of the 11,107 people eligible in the region have been fully vaccinated, and about 30 to 39 per cent have had a first dose.

Five Australian Defence Force teams including medics and nurses will be deployed to Dubbo from Wednesday to start vaccinating remote communities, while five emergency AUSMAT medical teams will be dispatched in the coming week.

The Royal Flying Doctors Services is providing additional services to vaccinate small communities around Walgett, Dubbo and Bourke.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly suggested rather than “looking backwards” at the poor vaccination rates, the focus should now be on the huge gains made in recent days.

“Extraordinary efforts, literally thousands of vaccinations happening in places as far flung as Walgett and Bourke,” he said.

Natalie Isaac has vaccinated 100 people at Chemistworks in Edmondson Park since last week. Picture: Richard Dobson

Indigenous Minister Ken Wyatt argued the lower vaccine rate in remote communities was partly due to “choice”.

“Some people have made choices because they have become fearful of adverse effects, but they are now focusing on getting vaccinated,” he said.

Mr Wyatt said the recent Covid-19 outbreaks had been a “game changer” for attitudes toward the vaccine.

“That’s why we’re seeing (the rates) stepping up.”

Barkindji Aunty Sissy King, from Wilcannia, said her community was now getting the jab despite previously being hesitant.

“Social media has played havoc, instilling fear in people,” Ms King said.

NSW COVID-19 CASE LOCATIONS, CASES AND TESTS

Use the hamburger button below to filter results by cases, tests and time period. After selecting your option, click the menu again to show the new map. Source: NSW Government

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Monday had been another “record” day of vaccinations in Australia with 270,000 doses delivered.

“It’s almost 200 doses every single minute,” he said.

Mr Morrison said he was “confident the government” would be able to overcome the “challenges” in western NSW.

GPs around the country have been sent a letter asking them to reach out to, and prioritise the vaccination of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 12.

Nationally only about 15 per cent of the indigenous community is fully vaccinated, compared to more than 26 per cent in the general population.