WITH the return of school for the new year on the horizon, parents across the Western Plains are being urged to try and get their primary-aged children vaccinated against COVID-19 before the first bell rings.

Children as young as five are now able to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations across the state following revisions to eligibility criteria which came into place earlier this month.

However, according to Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) Chief Executive Mark Spittal, demand for appointments in the new 5-11 age group remains high in regional NSW.

“Our hub clinics were booked out for children’s vaccinations through until February 4 but we have increased the capacity of those clinics next week to get more children vaccinated before school returns later this month,” Mr Spittal said.

The closest vaccination hubs in WNSWLHD are located in Orange, Bathurst and Dubbo, however Mr Spittal wished to remind western region residents other local options were available.

"We play a smaller role in the wider vaccination roll-out and the majority of vaccinations are delivered through GPs, pharmacies and the primary care network," he said.

“So if you can’t find an appointment for yourself or your child through one of our clinics, please try to book one through a GP or pharmacist as soon as you possibly can.

“Vaccination remains the best protection we have against serious illness from COVID-19 and it is also the best tool we have as individuals to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our entire community."

As of today (Friday 21 January) the current first-dose vaccination rate across the state for the 5-11 age group is 21.7 per cent.

In the 12-15 age group, 82.4 per cent have received their first dose and 78.3 per cent have received two while in the 16 and over age group, that figure is over 95 per cent and 93.9 per cent respectively.

Despite recording its deadliest day today with 46 deaths linked to the virus across the state, NSW health authorities said a "variety of indicators" showed the spread of the virus was slowing.

There was a slight drop in new positive tests (25,168 down from 30,825), hospitalisations (2,743 down from 2,781) and patients in intensive care (209 down from 212) recorded today.

Locally, there were 386 newly discovered cases in the WNSWLHD from PCR testing up to 8pm last night.

Local Government Areas with newly discovered cases included the Bogan (three), Bourke (seven), Cobar (10), Gilgandra (four), Narromine (three), Walgett (seven), Warren (three) and Warrumbungle (eight) shires.

WNSWLHD officials continue to recommend residents planning and practicing all current COVID-safety measures regardless of the number of cases in individual towns.