Narrabri Shire is on the cusp of reaching a major milestone in its efforts to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Data published by the Commonwealth government earlier this week showed the shire was not far from reaching 70 per cent first dose vaccination.
As of September 12, first dose immunisations were 67.5 per cent with second doses at 29.8 per cent.
The statistics published also show Narrabri Shire has made huge improvements in the levels of vaccination among the eligible population.
At August 27, 50.4 per cent of the shire had received one vaccination compared to 52.8 per cent in Gunnedah and 52.7 per cent in Moree Plains.
Narrabri has raced ahead of Moree Plains as of this week and is now only 0.2 per cent behind Gunnedah’s first dose numbers.
The increases week on week show a 9.5 per cent increase from August 27 to September 5 and a 7.6 per cent increase from September 5 to September 12.
Mayor Ron Campbell said the increase in the federal government’s official vaccination rates for Narrabri Shire was no surprise given there has been no shortage of immunisation opportunities provided to local residents recently.
“These opportunities have included a combination of walk-in and appointment-based clinics in Pilliga, Boggabri, Wee Waa and Narrabri as well as vaccination services being provided through clinics and pharmacies across Boggabri, Wee Waa and Narrabri,” Cr Campbell said.
“Ensuring the community is ‘double dosed’ as indicated by the NSW government, is key to ensuring greater freedoms in the months to come.”
Cr Campbell said the shire was making great progress, with those numbers set to increase during the next few weeks.
“There will be additional walk-in mass vaccination clinics in Narrabri and Wee Waa through the Royal Flying Doctor Service at the end of September for members of the community wanting to get their second dose or even if anyone is still in need of their first dose – they are welcome to attend,” he said.
These clinics are the follow up clinics to the mass vaccination walk-in hubs held at the beginning of September.
A clinic will be held at Wee Waa Local Aboriginal Land Council on Saturday, September 25 from 10.30am to 2.30pm.
In Narrabri, the clinic will again be held at The Crossing Theatre.
A Sunday clinic will operate on September 26 from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
On Monday, September 27, a clinic will operate from 9.30am to 2.30pm.
“Please continue to make vaccination bookings with our local healthcare providers if you haven’t done so yet or at the very least, please call to cancel if you have been able to get vaccinated elsewhere or can’t make your appointment,” Cr Campbell said.
“This ensures those on wait lists can be tended to quicker as well as assisting our medical professionals in the allocation of vaccines.
“I’d like to again thank all of the healthcare providers that have been true community leaders in the way they have proactively arranged clinics and managed lengthy vaccination waiting lists while still juggling the day to day operations of their healthcare facilities.”
Vaccination data, published by the Commonwealth government, shows a considerable increase in the first dose COVID vaccination rate in Narrabri Shire.
See more vaccine news:
- Patient clinic-goers line up for vaccines | PHOTOS
- Pfizer vax-a-thon | Three days of vaccine distribution across Narrabri, Wee Waa
- Pharmacy vaccines arrive in Narrabri
