NSW hits 80 per cent for first vaccinations, curfew restrictions to ease

New South Wales has today hit a major milestone with 80 per cent of the population aged 16 and over having received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, giving the State confidence to ease some local restrictions.

While it will still be some weeks until 80 per cent of the State’s population are fully vaccinated with two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, 47.5 per cent have received two jabs.

The news has given Premier Gladys Berejiklian reason to ease the curfew restrictions currently imposed on local government areas (LGAs) of concern in Sydney from tonight, but all other restrictions will remain until more people get the immunisation.

“Pleasingly, today, our state hits the milestone of 80 per cent first dose vaccination - an incredible milestone given the journey we’ve all been on,” Berejiklian said.

“I can’t thank the community enough for responding in such a positive way for our calls to get vaccinated.

“We know that if this trend continues, once we open up at 70 per cent double dose, that first dose rate will be high enough for us to feel confident that we won’t overload the hospital system and that we will enjoy those freedoms we’re all looking forward to.”

The Premier also mentioned some communities in Western and South Western Sydney have vaccination rates close to 90 per cent.

“Just an outstanding result compared to where we’ve been and where we are today,” she said.

It comes as NSW reported 1,259 cases of locally acquired COVID-19 and 12 deaths.

While curfew restrictions will ease in LGAs of concern, the Premier urged residents to continue abiding by the remaining rules.

“We can’t move on anything else just now. We need everybody to hold the line,” the Premier said.

“Please make sure that if you do live in those local government areas of concern that you’ll stick to every other rule that’s in place.

“We’ve seen a stabilisation in the last few days and we don’t want that trend to go the wrong way. We still have work to do, we can all see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Meanwhile, Queensland has today announced anyone over the age of 60 will be allowed to receive a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as part of its "super Pfizer weekend".

As part of the vaccine blitz, vaccine hubs across the state will allow walk-ins. 

It comes after Western Australia expanded Pfizer eligibility to the same age group, while South Australia expanded Pfizer access to all of those aged 12 and over last Saturday.

Updated at 11.33am AEST on 15 September 2021.

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