Coronavirus: Several Auckland suburbs yet to hit 80 percent vaccinated rate ahead of border opening

Several Auckland suburbs still haven't hit 80 percent vaccinated rate ahead of the border opening this week. 

After more than three months, Auckland's border will open on December 15 allowing fully vaccinated Aucklanders or those with a negative test to travel around the country. 

And while Auckland as a whole has a very high vaccination rate with 92 percent fully immunised, some suburbs are lagging. 

Ministry of Health data shows there are several suburbs across the city with a rate below 80 percent. 

Ōtara West has the lowest vaccination coverage in the city with just 74.5 percent of residents fully vaccinated and 84.3 percent having had one jab. 

Wiri West is close behind with just 75 percent fully vaccinated and 84.9 percent single dose. Ōtara South is slightly better with 76.5 percent fully vaccinated and 85.4 percent first dose. 

In Rongomai West, 76.8 percent of people are fully vaccinated and 85.3 percent have had their first dose. Barrier Islands are just ahead with 76.9 percent fully vaccinated and 80.8 percent first jab. 

Ferguson is also lagging with 77.1 percent of residents fully vaccinated and 85.9 percent having had one dose. 

Ōtara Central and Wattle Downs North both have 77.8 percent of people fully vaccinated with 86.5 percent and 87.2 percent having one jab respectively. 

Wiri East has 77.9 percent fully vaccinated and 86.8 percent single dose, while in Māngere West 78.4 percent of people are fully vaccinated and 86.3 have had one dose. 

Despite pockets of patchy coverage, several inner-city suburbs have very high vaccination rates with Eden Terrace, Grey Lynn East, and Queen Street all hitting 95 percent fully vaccinated. 

Areas in the North Shore are also sitting at 95 percent double dosed including Northcote Point, Birkenhead and Glenfield. 

The numbers also look good when broken down by DHB. In Auckland Central, 94 percent of people are fully vaccinated, with 92 percent in Waitematā and 90 percent in Counties Manukau. 

The Māori vaccination rates are also improving despite being lower than the rest of the population. In Auckland Central 82.4 percent are fully vaccinated and 90.5 percent have had one dose. 

In Waitematā, 79.7 percent of Māori people are fully vaccinated and 88.1 percent have had their first dose. Meanwhile, 73.9 percent are fully vaccinated in Counties Manukau and 84.9 percent have had one dose. 

Nationally 88.4 percent of people are fully vaccinated compared with 72.9 percent for Māori. 

Overall Auckland is well ahead of the rest of the country with just three DHBs on par. Capital and Coast, Canterbury and Southern all have vaccinated rates above 90 percent.

The least vaccinated DHBs are Northland and Tairawhiti - both on 81 percent. Next is Whanganui on 83 percent and Lakes and West Coast on 84 percent.