Narrabri Shire is the leading local government area in North West NSW when it comes to the rate of fully immunised people.

The latest data from the Commonwealth government, released earlier this week, showed the shire’s second dose rate reached 68.4 per cent as at October 10.

Gunnedah Shire was at 66.6 per cent double dose while Moree Plains was 60.8 per cent.

Tamworth Regional Council’s rate of fully immunised residents was 65.6 per cent.

Mayor Ron Campbell described the shire’s vaccination achievement as incredible and also made mention of the 90.7 per cent first dose result recorded in Narrabri Shire.

“What a fantastic effort by our shire community and our health care professionals who have been busily vaccinating our community for several months,” Cr Campbell said.

Reflecting on the increase on the vaccination rates, Cr Campbell said it was a significant jump that has seen the shire leading the vaccination charge in the region.

Double dose immunisation rates increased by 9.6 per cent compared to the previous data released by the government. First dose levels continue to steadily rise, increasing 2.9 per cent on the previous reporting period.

In other COVID-related news, Cr Campbell said the Boggabri Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) will be included in next week’s testing as a part of the NSW Health Sewage Surveillance Program.

He said it comes after several requests by council.

“Council has pushed for regular and shire-wide testing of all STP sites for some time and we are pleased that NSW Health will be including Boggabri as of next week,” he said.

“The inclusion of Boggabri is great news for the shire and will provide some level of comfort to Boggabri and other shire residents in knowing if there is any potential risk in the community.

“We must be mindful though that sewage testing only provides an indication that someone who may have had, or who currently has the virus has been in that sewage catchment area.

“It doesn’t identify if the person has been active in the community. The only way to identify any cases in the community is for individuals to continue to get tested, even with the slightest of symptoms.

“Narrabri and Wee Waa STPs have been tested again this week with results expected at the end of the week.”

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