New Zealand’s vaccine rate rockets ahead of several ‘complacent’ Australian states

New Zealand may have been slow off the vaccination starting blocks, but its recent efforts have seen it outdo several Aussie states, where complacency abounds.

While New Zealand adopts ingenious vaccine “Mr Whippy vans” in a lofty move to vaccinate people in isolated communities, several Australian states appear to have become dangerously complacent.

New Zealand has made up an incredible margin, having previously trailed significantly behind Australia to now sit just below 60 per cent of its population being fully vaccinated.

As of Tuesday morning, 56.7 per cent of New Zealand’s eligible population had received two doses of a Covid vaccine, not far behind Australia’s 62.4 per cent.

The rate of vaccination in New Zealand has overtaken several Australian states, where concern has been brewing over the seeming complacency of its residents.

Shot Bro vaccination buses have been deployed in Auckland to vaccinate people in isolated communities. Picture: Getty

Western Australia currently has the lowest vaccination of the country with just 52 per cent of the eligible population being fully vaxxed, with Queensland only slightly better at 52.7 per cent.

Western Australia’s Vaccine Commander, Chris Dawson, said he had been given a December 31 deadline for the state to be at least 80 per cent fully vaccinated, and had engaged a variety of community leaders to help make that happen.

“This afternoon we met with about 50 leaders of our cultural and linguistically diverse communities, faith leaders from right across Western Australia — it’s most important we come together as a community,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

Queensland authorities were also well aware of complacency among residents, with efforts ramping up in the lead up to Christmas amid speculation borders will open in coming weeks.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath and chief health officer Jeannette Young have spent the last week travelling into the regions to focus vaccination efforts on areas where the jab rate is languishing.

Mobile vaccine buses in Auckland can vaccinated up to 300 people per day. Picture: Getty

The health minister said Queensland had been a victim of its own success, where the lack of Covid threats had created a lack of urgency.

“The regions just haven’t seen any outbreaks so there’s a fair bit of complacency and a view people can wait,” Ms D’Ath said.

South Australia has only just reached 55 per cent, while the Northern Territory isn’t far behind New Zealand at 56.5 per cent.

New Zealand's vaccination rates. Picture: covid19map

Australia's vaccine percentages for each state, as of October 12. Picture: covid19data

Meanwhile, residents of NSW, the ACT, Tasmania, and Victoria have stormed ahead, with NSW now at 74 per cent fully vaccinated, and the ACT at 73.6 per cent - though an astonishing 98 per cent of residents there have had a first dose.

Tasmania has reached 65 per cent and Victoria is sitting just under 60 per cent at 59.3 per cent.

Across Australia, 82.4 per cent of residents aged over 16 have received their first dose.

New Zealand’s Mr Whippy vax vans

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern announced last month that a fleet of Mr Whippy-like vans would be deployed to parts of Auckland, which has been worst hit in the recent Delta outbreak.

An initial six buses, aptly named Shot Bro, were dispersed in isolated communities, with an additional six later added into circulation.

The buses have been likened to Mr Whippy vans not because of their appearance, but because similarly to an icecream truck, they roam the streets offering their wares to residents.

Shot Bro buses have been likened to Mr Whippy vans because they travel the streets and don’t require a booking. Picture: Getty

Ms Ardern announced this week the purchase of more vaccines from Spain and Denmark.

The vax bus method is similar to what was introduced in Victoria last month, where a mobile vaccination service, nicknamed Jabba the Bus, targeted a range of regional areas.

The service covered Greater Shepparton, Moira, Benalla, Strathbogie, Mitchell, Murrindindi and Campaspe.

Premier Dan Andrews said if necessary, the Health Department was prepared to go “door to door” to administer Covid jabs, citing it the only way out of the state’s current outbreak.

“We wouldn‘t rule anything out. We’ll go door to door if we have to,” he said.