Covid vaccination rates for North Coast revealed

Will the North Coast be ready when visitors start flowing into the region? We’ve crunched the numbers on vaccination milestones and it’s not good news for some communities.

NSW is ready to open up as statewide vaccination levels reach 70 per cent but it will be a while before the North Coast catches up.

Department of Health data from the past five weeks shows which communities will get there sooner and which ones have fallen far behind.

It also reveals the areas which have made huge leaps towards getting fully vaccinated.

Based on current vaccination rates, all North Coast council areas will hit 90 per cent of first dose by the end of October, with Ballina predicted to have reached the milestone on Thursday.

Byron Bay will be the last, predicted to reach 90 per cent first dose on October 30.

All of the areas are predicted to hit 95 per cent just more than a week later.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - SEPTEMBER 22, 2021. Vials of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine are pictured at a pharmacy. Pharmacies have began administering the Moderna vaccine to anyone over 12 years-old. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

When it comes to the all-important second dose, four councils will hit the state benchmark of 70 per cent double-vaccinated in late October, the earliest being Bellingen on October 22.

Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed will all hit the mark in early November while Byron will reach the mandated mark as late as December 6.

To reach the “freedom” of 90 per cent, the good news is all but one council, Byron again, will hit 90 per cent double vaccinated before Christmas, if current trends continue.

The current state average for first dose is 89.41 per cent and 70.32 per cent for second dose.

New South Wales is expected to reach an average of 80 per cent fully vaccinated by about October 21, opening up the regions to travel.

The Northern NSW Local Health District is opening a new Covid-19 vaccination clinic in Byron Bay to encourage more people to come forward to get vaccinated.

The clinic will be offering Pfizer vaccines at the Byron Bay Surf Club in Bay Street, Byron Bay, from Friday October 8 to Friday October 22.

The clinic will be open Monday to Friday from 8am-3.30pm, with walk-ins and booked appointments available.

Healthy North Coast chief executive officer Julie Sturgess said overall vaccination rates in the region were increasing about 5 per cent a week, which was slightly faster than the national vaccination trend.

“With the recent significant increase in supply, it is becoming easier and easier for the community to access vaccines through their GP, neighbourhood pharmacy, a pop-up clinic or local Aboriginal Medical Service,” Ms Sturgess said.

“We’re expecting to have about 30,000 Pfizer doses available per week in October, as well as increased supplies of Moderna and AstraZeneca.”

Available appointments can be found on the Vaccine Clinic Finder.

“North Coast residents who haven’t yet had a chance to get vaccinated are encouraged to jump online and book their appointment today,” Ms Sturgess said.