Deputy Premier John Barilaro hits out at anti-vaxxer groups hindering Byron’s vaccine rollout
Deputy Premier John Barilaro has hit out at large anti-vaxxer groups, he says are to blame for Byron’s reduced vaccine rollout. See the figures here.
Local
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro has taken aim at members of the “large anti-vaxxer population” in the communities surrounding Byron Bay — blaming them for the region having the lowest first-dose vaccination numbers in the state.
It comes as Operation Covid Shield data, released by the Federal Government revealed the Richmond, Tweed and New England communities in the state’s north have the lowest first and second dose vaccination rates in NSW.
However, Mr Barilaro was questioned over the adequacy of the vaccination rollout during a meeting with regional reporters, with suggestions not enough was being done for the widespread rollout of the jab in the region.
According to weekly vaccination data, the Richmond – Tweed Federal Government Statistical Area has the lowest first-dose vaccination rate in the state at 65.4 per cent, or 136,341 people, while it also has the second lowest second-dose rate at 38.8 per cent with just 80,887 people fully vaccinated.
The New England and Northwest region have the lowest second dose at 38.1 per cent, or 57,109 people.
“No one likes hearing it, but you have a large anti-vaxxer population in some areas, and I am going to say that,” Mr Barilaro said. “There is an issue there.
“The other part would be eligibility and access to vaccination.”
Mr Barilaro said he was “sure” the NSW Government could increase vaccination numbers above 65 per cent.
“There is no reason you cannot get that higher,” he said. “It may not be as high as other parts of the state … but there is going to be areas that just don’t want to be vaccinated and I have to accept that as a reality.
“It’s unfair because they will get the benefits when the rest of the state opens — because everyone else has done the heavy lifting.”
The Deputy Premier said the lack of a mass vaccination centre, and restricted access for general practicitioners could be combated with “walk-in and mobile clinics”.
Tweed resident Maree Sterling says inconsistent messaging about the Covid-19 vaccine has caused her to hold off getting the jab in a region which has the state’s slowest uptake.
The 32-year-old said she was not anti-vaccine and did plan to eventually get it, but felt like not enough tests had been done.
“With the Premier saying she wouldn’t want to be in a room with people who aren’t vaccinated, that doesn’t make sense because if you’re vaccinated you should be all right,” she said.
Her mum, Anne Sterling, is also hesitant.
She’s exempt from wearing a mask due to being asthamic but struggled to find a GP who would write her an exemption letter, which diminished her trust in their advice.
“Who do you go and talk to and who do you believe?” she said.
“No matter what is wrong with you they tell you need the jab.”
She said she and her husband Darren were in the over 60 age bracket.
Mr Sterling also has concerns about the vaccination after suffering his fifth stroke earlier this year — during a medical procedure — which he was told was a rare occurrence.
It has made him concerned he would be the one in a million to get a blood clot if he were to get the AstraZeneca vaccine.
He has booked in to see a neurologist to see if Pfizer or Moderna would be safe for him.
The Sterling family aren’t alone in their hesitancy on the North Coast.
Tweed City Family Clinic practice manager Katerina Ristevska said even within their practice the messaging was confusing.
“They kept changing the age for the AstraZeneca,” she said.
“Then we didn’t have many available vaccines between 40 and 59 and there is a lot of the population under 40.
“You come in on Monday and they say you can’t have it if you’re under 60, then under 50 then everything changes.”
Eligibility and supply have also been issues.
When the vaccination program started in April she said the practice was doing about 100 AstraZeneca vaccinations a week due to the small eligibility criteria.
Once Pfizer became available to some of the population, they were doing 150 Pfizer jabs and about 30 AstraZeneca a week.
But currently she said her practice was administering 500 jabs a week and was booked out until the end of October.
She believed the vaccination requirement to cross into Queensland for work had pushed a number of people to be vaccinated.
Although the area is known for its anti-vaccination population, Mrs Ristevska said that made up a very small but loud minority.
Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said supply and messaging were the key issues causing low rates on the North Coast.
She said small supply allocations were an issue when the vaccination program started in April and Pfizer doses being redirected to Sydney exacerbated the problem.
“So many people contact me everyday desperate to get the vaccine,” Ms Elliot said.
“I think the main thing is the lack of actual vaccines.”
However, for the hesitant population, she criticised the federal government for not creating a clear and concise public information campaign to alleviate some concerns.
Meanwhile, Ms Sterling said international travel restrictions would most likely motivate her to get vaccinated.
Her mum agreed, saying once there was something she really wanted to do but couldn’t, she’d be likely to look more into being vaccinated.
‘Units upon units’: Home truths hurt suburb
A $33m apartment complex with shops and a childcare centre are planned for a suburb set for urban renewal but the community is sceptical more units will improve the place.
Real estate boss admits drink, drug driving in Range Rover
A project director at one of Australia’s largest real estate company was busted in Sydney’s eastern suburbs allegedly driving three times over the limit, while also having cocaine in his system.