Launceston's lower vaccination rate results in renewed push, including through migrant and community groups

Launceston's first-dose rate was low-70s early this week compared with the state average of 77.5 per cent, while the city's northern suburbs are in the high-60s, prompting the areas to appear on a Health Department "warning list" for lower rates.

The case of a teenager who visited Newnham IGA while infectious with the Delta strain and without wearing a mask on Saturday raised further concerns about lower vaccination rates in the city's north. Initial testing of close contacts have come back negative.

Tasmanian Health Service deputy secretary Dale Webster said there were a range of factors resulting in lower rates in certain areas including higher rates of disadvantage, lower literacy and larger multicultural communities.

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"Some of that will be hesitancy, some of that will be access, some of it will be literacy issues," he said.

"It was identified earlier about the large multiculturally and linguistically diverse population in Newnham and surrounding areas.

"So we're working with the Migrant Resource Centre North and ... running information evenings, and vaccination evenings, that are being translated into a number of languages so that people can get the message in their own language and hopefully better understand it."

Confusing messaging around vaccinations was also a likely cause, Mr Webster said.

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"The early media back in April-May-June probably didn't help people's confidence levels," he said.

In the past few weeks, the Health Department combined with a Neighbourhood House in Risdon Vale and an RSL in Claremont to run programs in disadvantaged areas of Hobart in an effort to boost vaccination rates, which Mr Webster said was a process that would continue in other parts of Tasmania.

A pop-up vaccination clinic will operate in the old Vinnies building at 330 Invermay Road, Mowbray, on Friday and Saturday to take bookings and walk-ins.

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A call for walk-ins in Launceston on Sunday resulted in a further 100 people turning up, with another 100 turning up for a walk-in clinic on Tuesday morning.

Tasmania is maintaining a target of 90 per cent double-dose vaccination by December 1, which only includes eligible people aged 16 or over. Once 100 per cent of Tasmanians have had an opportunity to get vaccinated, the state will consider easing further restrictions, including borders.

Tasmania-specific modelling from the Garvan Institute is expected to be released in the coming two weeks.

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