Vax data stuff up that could affect eastern travellers

Just six days away from the state’s border reopening, SA authorities are yet to fix the problem, causing concern for many people wanting to travel domestically.

SA authorities believe the data, showing about 71.4 per cent of Melburnians and 73.1 per cent of Sydneysiders are fully vaccinated, is incorrect because it was based on 2016 population figures.

That was long before a large number of residents and international students fled the capital cities due to the pandemic.

That’s why Premier Steven Marshall said authorities believed the vaccination rates were higher than the data suggested.

He said last week that both Sydney and Melbourne were “surprisingly” below the required vaccination target but admitted it was because there were international students included in the original population rates.

The Premier said authorities were working to fix the “statistical anomaly”.

“We are working through some of those issues. We’ve still got (time) until we get to the 23rd (of November) and it will give us time for greater vaccination rates and some clarification about that denominator,” Mr Marshall said.

SA Health has been contacted for comment.

SA will reopen its borders to all jurisdiction on November 23, as 80 per cent of residents aged 16 and over are expected to be fully vaccinated.

The Premier has long said the border restrictions created dislocation for friends and family unable to see each other, and he hoped the borders would be open before Christmas.

Only those who are fully vaccinated and come from local government areas that have a minimum vaccination rate of 80 per cent can enter the state without needing to quarantine.

Originally published as ‘Statistical anomaly’ in vaccination data could affect travel to SA from Melbourne, Sydney