Tomorrow (Tuesday 22 March) marks a significant milestone for the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) and its local vaccination program, having now run for a full year.

According to WNSWLHD, local teams have now delivered almost 124,000 doses in more than 75 communities of varying sizes and demographics, which Chief Executive Mark Spittal said was a complete evolution of the program's initial focus.

“At the start of COVID-19 vaccination, we were expecting to deliver around 15,000 vaccines to healthcare workers, but within just two months, our vaccination team had rapidly geared up and were vaccinating people in the community,” Mr Spittal said.

“Between our vaccine clinics and those delivered by other providers such as local GPs, Respiratory Clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services and pharmacies, we have managed to ensure Western NSW reached high vaccination rates sooner than many other parts of NSW.

"That’s a huge achievement, especially considering the challenges of distance for many of our remote communities.”

A number of western plains communities were among the first to achieve the 95 per cent double vaccination milestone for adults, a milestone which is now shared by countless others.

At the time of writing the state's 16 and over population hovers just 0.1 per cent off the magic 95 per cent mark, although attention has now turned to promoting the third booster shot.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is today urging the federal Government to launch a public campaign encouraging eligible people to receive their COVID-19 vaccine booster dose.

It comes following reports of complacency creeping into the booster rollout with not enough people receiving their third dose despite being eligible.

As of 13 March 2022, only 65.6% of eligible people have received a third COVID-19 vaccine dose.

That number is significantly lower in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities where only 49.4% of eligible people have received a third dose.

In the Orana & Far West, 60.4% of those eligible had received more than two doses, indicating that our protection status may be falling behind other areas.

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor  said the booster shot is particularly important for older people and those who have chronic health conditions.

“For example, if you are aged 70 to 79 and have not had a booster dose you are twice as likely as someone who has received it to end up in hospital or to die if you get COVID-19,” Minister Taylor said. 

While GPs and some pharmacies continue to offer vaccines, clinics continue to "pop-up" around the Western LHD and Mr Spittal acknowledged the efforts of the many partners in helping his vaccination team, from emergency services, to the ADF as well as countless local businesses and volunteers who have supported the rollout in the past 12 months.

Find the current schedule for pop-up clinics and other vaccination information here.