New data reveals the Blue Mountains has reached a significant vaccination milestone, with 77.9 per cent of residents in the local government area receiving their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
As recently as August 27, the first dose figure for the Blue Mountains was considerably lower at 70.2 per cent.
The fully vaccinated figure for the Blue Mountains stands at 47.7 per cent, government data from September 5 shows.
The first dose vaccination figures for the Blue Mountains are considerably higher than Lithgow (64.9 per cent), slightly ahead of the Hawkesbury (74.7 per cent) but behind Penrith (79.2 per cent).
A range of community figures and political leaders have welcomed the Blue Mountains uptake in vaccination rates.
Liberal Senator Marise Payne said getting vaccinated is the pathway out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The best thing we can all do is make sure we keep positive, encourage one another to get vaccinated, and stick to the national plan," she said.
"While the vaccination rate is very promising, I urge our community to keep going because every vaccine administered gets us closer to unlocking Australia."
Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said the Blue Mountains figures are a testament to the efforts of local people, many of whom had to travel out of the area to get vaccinated.
"For some people it's been a smooth process but too many Mountains people have gone to extraordinary lengths to find a vaccine and they should be congratulated for this," she said.
"They've done it without a local hub, by spending a lot of time on the phone or online trying to book.
"And they've done it thanks to local GPs and their teams working tirelessly, without a break now for months, with dreadful supply constraints because there simply hasn't been enough vaccine to go around... The community can also celebrate this milestone towards getting out of 'Delta prison' thanks to the people who were willing and able to travel into areas of concern just to have their jab," she said.
The community can celebrate this milestone towards getting out of 'Delta prison' thanks to the people who were willing and able to travel into areas of concern just to have their jab.
- Susan Templeman
NSW Upper House Liberal MP Shayne Mallard said vaccination rates are the key to re-opening and unlocking Australia.
"To those in the Blue Mountains who have been vaccinated I say thank you and I urge those who haven't, do not delay and book your vaccination appointment today," he said.
Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle also welcomed the latest figures, saying "we all want to see our region opened up again so that life can get back to some semblance of normal".
But the Labor MP said the rollout has still been hampered by supply issues.
"One of the difficulties has been that the supply of vaccine has been problematic, along with hefty wait times for those booked in for either vaccine," she said. "Yes, the community have a responsibility here but it's difficult for us to fulfil that responsibility if we don't have adequate supplies of Pfizer or A-Z or enough facilities where vaccines can be administered."
She said she was still disappointed calls for a vaccination hub in the Blue Mountains, or an outreach service, have been ignored.
But Ms Doyle said frontline workers in the vaccine rollout all deserve praise.
"I think it's important that as a community we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who are working around the clock at this time to help us reach our vaccination goals - all the GPs, pharmacists, those working in the health sector and respiratory clinics in the Blue Mountains, you are a crucial element of our pathway out of lockdown."
Wentworth Healthcare CEO Lizz Reay said it was "fantastic to see that so many people in the Blue Mountains have rolled up their sleeve to receive their jab".
"Across our region we now have 92 general practices delivering COVID-19 vaccinations, with 14 of these located in the Blue Mountains. In addition, we have three GP-led respiratory clinics delivering vaccinations, one of which is located in the Blue Mountains," she said.
With pharmacies playing a key role in the recent surge in vaccination rates, co-owner of the Blaxland Day 'n' Night Pharmacy, Kim Stubbs, praised the community's vaccination response.
"The Blue Mountains community has embraced the opportunity to be vaccinated via local GPs and pharmacists and it is of no surprise that we now have more than 70 per cent of our eligible community with one dose of the vaccine," she said.
"Pharmacy is ready to be an integral part of the next stage of the national vaccination effort, vaccinating adolescents aged 12 to 17 years with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine."
Other groups in the Blue Mountains are hoping rising vaccination rates will see the community start to open up.
David Smith, President of the Blue Mountains Football Club, said his members were eager to get back on the field.
"Like other local sporting clubs, we all want to see the safe return of community sport in the Mountains. I know I'm not alone when I say that my kids are really missing Saturday sport and all that comes with it, especially the sense of being connected," he said.
"Our best hope against the pandemic is the COVID vaccine, which is why I want to personally encourage our community to throw their support behind the vaccination effort."
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Mark Barton, President of Business Blue Mountains, welcomed the latest vaccination data.
"It just shows that the people of the Blue Mountains have a strong view on personal health and keeping one another safe," he said.
"The idea that we can soon be opening up businesses and the community safely is encouraging to say the least."
Harriet McCready, co-founder of Mountain Culture Beer Co in Katoomba, was optimistic about opening up.
"It's been a gruelling few months and the thought we're so close to opening back up again is just the good news we need right now," said Ms McCready.
"Of course, we're excited to get our business back on track, but we're more excited to see people back in the brewpub, enjoying time with their friends and family because I think we're all really craving that human connection."
Emma MacMahon, Director at Dryridge Estate in Megalong Valley, said she and her husband were looking forward to welcoming people back to their cellar door.
"Simon and I are ecstatic to hear that so many Blue Mountains residents are getting vaccinated," she said.
"This is such an outstanding and important step towards opening all the small businesses, including ours, in our wonderful community and we are bursting with excitement to start hosting customers again."
Deb Wells, President of the Blue Mountains Rhododendron Society of NSW, said the iconic gardens have been closed to general admission, with the usually busy spring period now in jeopardy.
"Our member volunteers are all in the older, more vulnerable age group and cannot be put at risk, which is why we need Australians to get vaccinated and the lockdown eased in order to re-open the gates to one of the Mountains' most loved attractions," she said.
