Covid vaccination rates across Sydney, NSW revealed

New stats reveal which suburbs are the least prepared for interstate travellers to flood back into NSW, including one which has already suffered a devastating Covid outbreak.

New data reveals some of NSW’s most far-flung towns are underprepared for interstate travel to recommence, with vaccination rates lagging behind the rest of the state.

As the rest of Australia beyond the ACT and Victoria prepares to drop its hard borders with NSW, a small number of postcodes are still grappling with lower vaccination rates compared to the rest of the state.

The rates are based on the number of people eligible for vaccination, drawn from 2016 Census data.

Sydney’s north and west have much better rates than the inner west and south. Picture: NSW Health

NSW Health vaccination data reveals parts of Wilcannia and Boggabilla within the 2409 postcode in the state’s north west have less than 50 per cent of eligible residents fully vaccinated.

The remote, largely Aboriginal town suffered Australia’s worst per capita outbreak, with 152 people – more than 20 per cent of the population – contracting Covid during NSW’s devastating 2021 outbreak.

See the vax rate for every NSW suburb

However, federal government advice indicates vaccination for those who have had Covid can be deferred for up to six months as past infection reduces the chance of reinfection – providing hope the vaccination rate in 2409 may yet increase with time.

The tiny towns within the Murray Downs postcode of 2734 on the NSW and Victorian border have the state’s lowest vaccination rate by far, with less than 30 per cent of eligible residents fully vaccinated.

Wallaroo and the 2618 postcode on the NSW and ACT border have less than 40 per cent of eligible residents fully vaccinated.

A number of suburbs on the NSW and Queensland border have particularly low rates of vaccination. Picture: NSW Health

Koraleigh and the 2735 postcode in the Riverina, along with Twin Rivers and the 2410 postcode, Croppa Creek and 2411 and Tonderburne at 2817 in the state’s north all have less than 70 per cent of eligible residents fully vaccinated.

The only suburb in greater Sydney which was previously trailing behind is Menangle Park and 2563 – located on the city's southwest outskirts which has jumped from less than 70 per cent fully vaccinated to up to 80 per cent vaccinated.

Despite getting a lot of attention Byron Bay has at least 90 per cent with a single dose and 80 to 90 per cent with a double dose.

The neighbouring postcodes of 2483 and 2482, which include Brunswick Heads and Mullumbimby, meanwhile have 80 per cent to 90 per cent with a single dose and just 70 to 80 per cent with a double dose.