Hills Shire highest first dose vaccination rates in Sydney

Hills residents could be the first to taste freedom in just a matter of weeks with fresh data showing the local government area is winning the vaccination race.

Gus Magee gets the Covid-19 vaccine at the Roseville Vaccination centre in Sydney. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

Hills residents could be the first to have a taste of freedom with the LGA winning the vaccination race in Sydney.

Data released by the federal government shows The Hills Shire LGA has a first dose rate of 93.3 per cent and a double dose rate of 59.7 per cent from its population of 140,271 residents aged 15 and over.

The Hills Shire had the highest first dose rate out of all Sydney LGAs and was second in NSW, beaten only by Murray River in the state’s south west, according to the data from September 13.

NSW Police officer gets vaccinated at Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: David Swift

Ku-ring-gai in Sydney’s north followed closely with a 90.6 per cent first dose rate and 64.5 per cent fully vaccinated.

In Sydney’s west, Blacktown had a first dose rate of 89.5 per cent and 48.7 per cent of its population 15 and over were fully vaccinated.

The NSW Government will be trialling a new Covid passport to confirm a person’s vaccination status when they enter a venue using the Service NSW app.

When asked if The Hills Shire would be included in a pilot, NSW Customer Service minister Victor Dominello said the trial locations were not yet determined yet preference would be given to areas with high vaccination rates.

A nurse prepares a dose of the Pfizer. Picture: Joaquin SARMIENTO/AFP

“We are currently working with the Federal Government to enable customers to access their COVID-19 vaccination certificate via the Service NSW app,” Mr Dominello told NewsLocal.

“This will allow customers to easily show their vaccination status when checking into venues using the Service NSW QR code.

“Once technical testing is completed, the Government will conduct a number of closed trials (e.g. for Government services) prior to commencing industry-based trials.

Customer service minister Victor Dominello with the Service NSW app

“The location for these industry-based trials is yet to be determined, but preference is likely to be given to regions with high vaccination rates.”

It is understood the trial was anticipated to start by early October and would allow customers and businesses to test the technology and provide feedback ahead of a wider rollout.

Hills Shire mayor Michelle Byrne said. “I’m so proud that The Hills has one of the high vaccination rates in the state.”

“I want to thank our residents who have followed restrictions and made vaccination a priority. I'm also incredibly thankful to all the people who have made this possible - from the doctors and nurses to the pharmacists, researchers, hospitals and manufacturers.

“It's been a tough time for households, but every vaccination is a step closer to The Hills Shire reopening safely for business, fun and reunions, as well as life returning back to how we remember it pre-pandemic.”