The NSW rollout of COVID-19 vaccine was successful despite the challenges of uncertain supply and building a booking system from scratch, a review has found.
Nearly three years after the coronavirus first arrived, Auditor-General Margaret Crawford on Wednesday handed down her review of NSW Health's jab rollout.
"Despite challenges such as uncertain supply and changes to clinical advice affecting vaccine eligibility, NSW Health's overall delivery of vaccination services was effective and efficient," Ms Crawford said.
"NSW Health implemented its own booking system after it identified that the Australian government's system would not manage bookings," she said.
NSW Health began using an amended internal booking system, with all the issues resolved by September 2021.
The government was able to adapt and respond to changing timelines, pivoting its approach when demand often outstripped the supply of vaccines.
Coronavirus vaccines supplied by the commonwealth were delivered by GPs, pharmacists and aged-care providers.
After launching the rollout in February last year, NSW Health set a target in May to have 80 per cent of the adult population receive two doses by December.
In August, the government offered an incentive by easing restrictions on vaccinated people when 70 per cent of the population was vaccinated.
The original goal of reaching 80 per cent of the population having had two doses was reached in October, and then updated to 95 per cent.
While that goal had been reached for much of NSW, some areas remained below that benchmark.
"Access to quality data to regularly measure vaccination rates in some vulnerable populations remains an ongoing challenge for the NSW and Australian governments," Ms Crawford said.
"As a result, NSW Health is unable to fully ensure it has delivered on its shared responsibility with the Australian government to vaccinate vulnerable people."
