Triple-dose vaccination rates high in South West

The South West has again recorded the most COVID cases outside of the metropolitan area, but with more than 95 per cent of all residents now double-dose vaccinated and triple-dose rates at more than 80 per cent, the region is somewhat prepared.

Interestingly, the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes — which has recently seen a vocal minority of anti-vaxxers disrupt council meetings and compare vaccination mandates to the LGBTQI and Aboriginal people’s fights for human rights — has the highest triple-dose rate of any local government area in the South West.

After bumper visitor numbers over the Easter long weekend the South West recorded 508 new cases Wednesday, taking the region’s tally to 2474 active cases.

While this is the biggest amount recorded outside of the metropolitan area, it is still less than a tenth of the figures recorded for Perth during the same 24-hour-period, which saw a surge in figures, from 4726 on Tuesday to 6167 new cases on Wednesday.

The total number of new cases recorded in WA on Wednesday was 8080, taking the figures up to 39,921 active cases in the State.

There are 244 people with COVID-19 in hospital, 10 of those in ICU.

Every shire or city within the South West has a double-dose vaccination rate above 95 per cent.

When it comes to booster shots, the region is not far behind.

The Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes, which has recently seen a vocal minority of anti-vaxxers disrupt council meetings, has the highest triple-dose rate of any local government area in the South West, at 88.5 per cent of residents receiving at least three doses of a COVID-19 vaccination.

Augusta-Margaret River has the lowest figures at 82.7 per cent of eligible people being at least triple-dose vaccinated.

The City of Bunbury recorded 84.8 per cent of eligible people older that 16 years had received at least three doses of a COVID-19 vaccination, slightly lower than Busselton’s 85.5 per cent rate.

Waroona sits at 86.1 per cent, followed by the shires of Collie and Donnybrook-Balingup, which each have an 86 per cent triple-dose rate.

Harvey sits at 85.8 per cent, Manjimup at 85.6 per cent, Capel at 85.5 per cent and Boyup Brook at 84.3 per cent at least triple-dose vaccinated.