Health officials from the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) have praised local Aboriginal communities for rolling up their sleeves for the COVID-19 jab, with the Aboriginal vaccination rates in the region being among the highest in NSW and continuing to climb.

According to the latest data released by the Australian Immunisation Register, to 24 October, 77.6 per cent of people aged 16 years and older from WNSWLHD who identify as Aboriginal had received a first dose of vaccine while 67.1 per cent had received two doses.

These rates are well above the NSW figures for Aboriginal people, which were 68.4 per cent for first doses and 58.2 per cent for second doses.

Similarly, vaccination rates for Aboriginal children aged 12-15 years in WNSWLHD were 70.1 per cent for first doses and 55.8 per cent for second doses compared to 59.9 for first doses and 41.2 for second doses state-wide.

WNSWLHD Executive Director of Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Brendon Cutmore said he was very proud of how the LHD's Aboriginal communities had responded to the need to get vaccinated, particularly amid the latest Delta outbreak in Western NSW.

“Around 11 per cent of our district’s population identify as Aboriginal, yet we made up more than 60 per cent of the COVID-19 cases in this outbreak and sadly around half of the deaths recorded,” Mr Cutmore said.

“Unfortunately COVID has hit our mob hard, and disproportionately to the district’s population as a whole, but we’ve also seen these amazing communities pull together and support each other."

Mr Cutmore said the support of countless Aboriginal Health Workers, community leaders and partners, including local Aboriginal Medical Services and Land Councils, had been a big factor in ensuring vaccines reached even the most remote communities with Aboriginal populations.

WNSWLHD Aboriginal Health Northern Sector Manager Paul Douglas said the effectiveness of the vaccines for controlling COVID-19 and helping protect tight-knit, remote communities had been clear to see.

“We’re seeing really good vaccination rates among our Aboriginal populations in communities such as Brewarrina, Goodooga and Weilmoringle, sometimes higher that the rest of the population, and in those places we’ve also seen limited cases and no community transmission,” Mr Douglas said.

“Obviously being COVID safe has helped, but I think it’s the vaccination rates that are making the biggest difference of all.

“When we see every person over the age of 12 vaccinated in a household or close community it’s really playing a big role in protecting everyone, especially the young kids and elders.”

Mr Cutmore said while the WNSWLHD Aboriginal vaccination rates are pleasing, there was still work to do to increase them even further and help close the gap with the overall state figures.

WNSWLHD Executive Director of Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Brendon Cutmore said he was very impressed with the intake of COVID-19 vaccines among Aboriginal communities in the district, although there was still plenty of work to be done.

“Our goal is to see the entire district well above 90 per cent fully vaccinated, including our Aboriginal people, and that’s something I’m really passionate about,” Mr Cutmore said.

“I’d really love to see all of our Aboriginal communities taking up the opportunity for vaccination in the kind of numbers we’re seeing in the Brewarrina LGA, particularly before we get an influx of visitors as the state continues to open up.

“I know there has been a lot of misinformation, fear and rumours surrounding both the virus and vaccination, but we have a fantastic team of Aboriginal Health Practitioners and Workers who are doing everything they can to get real and practical information to our Mob."

Mr Cutmore said it was completely okay to ask questions about the vaccines but encouraged people to speak to the proper health experts, such as staff from the WNSWLHD, or their local GP or pharmacist.