Kempsey's vaccination surge means region is closer to 'living with COVID'

Port Macquarie is leading the Mid North Coast vaccination race with 90 per cent of the community now fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Communities in Ballina (84 per cent), Coffs Harbour (83.2 per cent), Bellingen (81.9 per cent), Kempsey (81.7 per cent) and Nambucca (81.2 per cent) are close behind.

Byron Bay is at the back of the pack with a 69 per cent double dose vaccine uptake.

Leading communities on the Mid North Coast and northern parts of NSW have been lauded for doing their bit to prevent local health services from being overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients and protecting their families and friends from the more severe complications of contracting the virus.

High rates of immunity in the community mean COVID cases can be managed at home or with support from a GP into the future, Healthy North Coast said.

Healthy North Coast chief executive officer Julie Sturgess says the North Coast community and health providers have done an incredible job delivering a successful COVID-19 vaccine rollout across the region.

"First doses across the region are at 93 per cent - ahead of the national average of 88 per cent - and I would expect that to flow through to double doses," Ms Sturgess said.

"Across the greater North Coast area, our GPs, Aboriginal medical services and community pharmacies have administered about 75 per cent of all COVID-19 vaccinations, or more than 751,000 jabs in arms," she said.

Ms Sturgess said about three per cent of doses were administered in residential aged care or disability facilities and 22 per cent by NSW Health.

"Even as vaccination rates continue to rise, we also know the virus will continue to circulate in all communities, particularly with easing of restrictions and arrival of visitors to our region," she said.

"With high rates of immunity, though, we expect most COVID cases going forward can be managed at home or with support from your GP, so we are working closely with GPs and other primary health care providers as we all learn to live with COVID."

Anyone who has not yet been vaccinated can use the Vaccine Clinic Finder to book an appointment.

Primary health care providers have delivered more than 75 per cent of the region's COVID-19 vaccine doses.

Healthy North Coast is working with primary health care providers to plan for the future - living with COVID and minimising risk.

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