Regional data shows a surge in some remote communities

AMSANT and NT Health have recorded surges in remote vaccination over the last week.

INDIGENOUS vaccination rates have surged in some communities following a sudden outbreak of Covid-19 in Robinson River.

Data released by Aboriginal Medical Alliance Services NT on Friday told a promising story with some regions reporting up to a 9 per cent increase in just seven days.

The Nauiyu (Victoria Daly River) Regional Council catchment jumped to 65 per cent according to AMSANT chief executive John Paterson.

“All our Aboriginal Controlled Health services saw an increase in vaccination rates over the last week,” said Mr Paterson.

“It’s promising. The largest single community increase was 21 per cent however we had a number of others that increased by 10 per cent.”

Individual community vaccination rates are not revealed under a service level agreement with the Department of Health to ensure the health privacy of communities with small populations.

NT Health data shows a positive trend, however uptake rates are slightly lower at government run clinics. In Barkly Region NT Health data shows it was about 4 per cent.

NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles said first dose vaccination rates had increased by four per cent in the Big Rivers and Barkly region and five per cent in Central Australia.

“This strong uptick in vaccination rates means four communities including Watarrka, Wallace Rockhole, Nyrripi and Ikuntji now have first dose rates above 70 per cent,” she said.

Vaccination drives on community this week also contributed to increased rates with Sunrise Health and Vanguard delivering 148 vaccinations on Wednesday in Ngukurr alone.

Sunrise Health director Michelle Farrell said the Ngukurr community was seeing the Covid issue more clearly with their countrymen from Robinson River, Katherine and Borroloola having caught Covid.

Ms Farrell said other community vaccination rates were going with Minyerri and Urapunga expected to be over 70 per cent next week.