Orange COVID vaccination rate one of the highest in rural NSW

NSW Health figures show 50- 59 per cent of eligible postcode 2800 residents have received their first dose of vaccine. They also show 30-39 per cent have been fully vaccinated.

The figures, released this week show more than 10,000 people under 50 have received the vaccine while more than 19,000 over 50s have received a dose.

In the Bathurst and Dubbo postcode areas 40-49 per cent have received one dose while 20-29 per cent have been fully vaccinated.

The highest rate achieved in the Central West is in the Millthorpe postcode area where 60-69 per cent of residents have received their first dose.

Rates of 50-59 per cent of first doses have also been recorded in the Cowra, Cudal, Canowindra, Carcoar, Molong, Manildra, Cumnock and Young postcode areas

Western NSWLHD chief executive Scott McLachlan said it was great news.

"It's exciting. Orange has one of the highest vaccination rates in rural NSW, if not rural Australia," he said.

"For anyone who has had a jab in Orange, thank you very much.

"There's a lot of GPs, the Aboriginal Medical Service in Orange, pharmacies [who] are all vaccinating in Orange.

"Those rates of 50 per cent having their first dose and half of those having second dose is good news."

The vaccinations come as traces of COVID have been detected in Orange's sewage system.

Last week Orange councillor Jeff Whitton called for localised figures of vaccination rates which he said could be used to promote Orange as a safe venue when travel restrictions were lifted.

"It is fantastic that we now know and have an idea," he said.

"Whilst vaccinations are not going to be the silver bullet, it is the only bullet we have at the moment," Cr Whitton said.

"This information is very powerful. It does give the rest of Australia and NSW the [knowledge] that Orange and surrounding villages are taking the pandemic seriously and want to get out of it."

He said while Premier Gladys Berejiklian was seeking a vaccination rate of 70-80 per cent he said Orange should aim higher.

Cr Whitton said he was also pleased to see young people being "extremely positive" about getting vaccinated.

"It is showing you they're worried," he said.

The NSW Health figures also showed that the Blayney, Mudgee, Lithgow and Forbes postcode areas had seen 40-49 per cent of residents receive their first dose.

In all these areas 20-29 per cent of residents in these areas were fully vaccinated.

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