Ohai-Nightcaps has the slowest uptake of vaccinations in Southland, according to suburb-by-suburb statistics released by the Ministry of Health.

Some 37.4% of the eligible population of 1243 people are yet to have a single shot of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

But, that's far from the bottom of the pile nationally.

Murupara, in Bay of Plenty, is the lowest vaccinated town or suburb in the country, with 67.4% of its 1400-strong eligible population yet to get their first shot.

In Southland as a whole, a quarter of people remain completely unvaccinated.

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The figures show 74.4% of eligible people across the region have had at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, with 48.5% having had two jabs.

Other areas of Southland where people are slow, or reluctant, to come forward include Woodend-Greenhills (36.8%), Clifton (35%), East Gore (34.8%), Edendale-Woodlands (33.4%), Mataura (33.3%), Elizabeth Park (33.3%), Otautau (32.9%) ,Georgetown (32.2%), Gore South (31.9%), Kew (Invercargill) (31.8%) and Longwood Forest (31.5%).

The data, released yesterday, showed generally rural areas of the country are less protected than urban areas.

Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said that is not necessarily because people in those areas are "staunchly anti-vax" but instead had a level of comfort that they don't need one.

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"There is a view . . . that Covid-19 won't reach into rural communities because of their relative isolation," Hipkins said.

"That is wrong. Covid-19 will not pass by. That should be crystal clear by now. So please do not wait to be vaccinated.

"Covid-19 will affect of rural communities as much as it affects our urban communities and the best thing we can all do is get vaccinated."

Rosedale has fewest number of unvaccinated over 12s per population in Southland, with only 11.8% unvaccinated, closely followed by Gladstone in Invercargill, with 13.6% unvaccinated, and Donovan Park with 14.6%.

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On Stewart Island / Rakiura, only 15.5% of the eligible population are yet to have their first jab. Some 261 of the 309 population have had at least one dose, while 216 of them have had both jabs.

In Te Anau, all but 16.5% have had one dose, or 1,649 of the 1,973, while more than half have had both jabs.

More than 100,800 doses have been given across the Southland region, including all the various suburbs of Invercargill, according to the stats, which cover up to midnight on Wednesday.

That's broken down into 60,751 first doses and 40,112 second doses.  

The data showed about 35 suburbs or towns with rates over 95%, including central Queenstown, and other affluent areas including downtown Auckland and central Wellington.

The picture across the Southern District Health Board area. Image: MoH

Data modeller Professor Shaun Hendy told the NZ Herald accessibility "must be a big part of this story," too.

"If you're in a urban area, it's just so much easier to access a location to get vaccinated."

Hipkins, meanwhile, reminded people of the Government's National Day of Action next Saturday, when it hopes there will be a significant turnout for those who've yet to be vaccinated.

"Vaccination is the best tool that we have to provide everyone with their individual armour against Covid-19 and to reduce the need for these type of restrictions in the future," Hipkins said.

"The virus is clearly finding the people who are not vaccinated. Only 3% of the cases in our current outbreak have a had a vaccine. So our message is do not wait. I can assure you the vaccine is safe and effective."

And the national uptake. Image: MoH