NSW Covid vaccination rates by LGA: How does your suburb fare?

As the race to get NSW to 80 per cent vaccination ramps up, new data shows the LGAs with the highest and lowest vax rates. CHECK YOUR AREA HERE.

As the race to get NSW vaccinated and restriction-free ramps up, some regions are leaping ahead with vaccination rates while others are trailing behind and holding back the rest of the state.

New NSW health data has revealed the local government areas (LGAs) which are lagging behind on single-dose vaccinations, with regional areas among the most vaccine hesitant.

It comes as Premier Gladys Berejiklian announces new freedoms for the vaccinated once we hit 80 per cent double dose around October 11, including unrestricted travel from Sydney to regional NSW.

Byron Bay has the second-lowest vaccination rate in NSW. Photo: Elizabeth Abegg and Isabella Pennefather

And with the Premier pledging to completely lift restrictions at 90 per cent double dose, the race to get the state’s vaccination rate up is on - but some areas are holding us back more than others.

The southwestern region of Edward River, in the state’s Riverina, has the lowest single-dose vaccination rate in the state with just over half its population of 8,000 vaccinated at 58.3 per cent.

Residents of the Edward River have the lowest vaccination rate in NSW. Photo: Dannika Bonser

Efforts to vaccinate the population have ramped-up in recent weeks, with the jab rate rising from 45 per cent in August as pharmacies join local GPs in administering the vaccine. Despite this, the region still has the lowest vaccination rate in the state.

Following closely behind is the state’s hippie capital and holiday favourite Byron Bay, which has just 65.9 per cent of its population vaccinated, the second-lowest jab rate in NSW.

Anti-vax protesters clashed with police in Byron Bay in mid-September. Photo: Supplied

The dismal vaccination rate could threaten the region’s reputation as a holiday haven, resulting in higher Covid-19 cases and snap lockdowns that could throw holiday plans into disarray.

Inner city residents are also slowing down the rest of NSW with the third-lowest vaccination rate at 69.6 per cent.

On the other side of the city, it’s the hotspot LGAs and surrounding regions that are winning the vaccination race, desperate for a taste of freedom.

The Hills Shire, Blacktown, Camden, Hornsby and Ku-Ring Gai councils are all edging the state closer to freedom with vaccination rates of more than 95 per cent.

The Blacktown LGA has among the highest vax rates in NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The south coast holiday region of Eurobodalla has 94.5 per cent of its population vaccinated while Weddin has 92.8 per cent and Narromine and Hay 92.2 per cent.

The new data comes as Premier Gladys Berejiklian reveals a new three-stage freedom road map that hinges on increased vaccination rates.

The Premier has promised to allow residents to travel freely once we hit 80 per cent and to give the unvaccinated more freedoms once we hit 90 per cent.

NSW is forecast to reach ‘Freedom Day’ with 70 per cent double dose on October 11 before leaping to 80 per cent a fortnight later around October 25.

The state will then go to the third stage of opening on December 1, when the government hopes vaccination rates will hit 90 per cent and almost all restrictions will be lifted.