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NSW may achieve 80 per cent double dose vaccine target today

Erin LyonsNCA NewsWire
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Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia

NSW could achieve the magic 80 per cent double dose vaccination target as early as Friday.

Recent numbers revealed 78.81 per cent of eligible residents have had both doses of the Covid vaccine, while 91.66 per cent have had their first dose – as of Thursday evening.

This means the state is on track to surpass 80 per cent later in the day, and if that’s the case, more freedoms will be unlocked from Monday.

If the 80 per cent target isn't hit on Friday, it will still be passed on Saturday.

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NSW could achieve the 80 per cent double dose target later on Friday.
Camera IconNSW could achieve the 80 per cent double dose target later on Friday. Credit: News Regional Media

Despite hitting the target, regional travel is still off the cards until November 1.

NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole revealed the controversial change on Friday morning which has sparked fury among vaccinated residents hoping to be reunited with family and friends.

“I know it’s frustrating and I know it’s not an easy decision being made, but we have a responsibility to keep our regional communities safe,” Mr Toole said.

“We achieved that target of 80 per cent vaccination quicker than we thought. We thought it would still be a couple of weeks away.”

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Camera IconDespite hitting the target, travel to the regions is still not on. NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi Credit: News Corp Australia

The state government’s crisis cabinet met on Thursday and pushed the travel date back to allow regions with lagging vaccination uptake to catch up.

Allowing city dwellers to visit the regions was originally promised when the state achieved the 70 per cent milestone, which was then pushed back to 80 per cent.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet also confessed that the government did not expect NSW to hit the target so soon.

He is speaking later on Friday and is expected to announce some changes to the current road map.

Originally published as NSW may achieve 80 per cent double dose vaccine target today

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