Sullivan County is home to zip codes with some of the lowest vaccination rates in New York, according to data out this week from the Cuomo Administration.

Sullivan County Public Health Director Nancy McGraw says its vaccinated population is at nearly 60%, but is doing more to bring that number up in certain pockets where numbers are on the lower end.

“We have been addressing those areas of the county for the last several months. We’ve been doing outreach clinics in those towns and villages,” McGraw said.

A zip code in the Fallsburg area is among the very lowest, with a rate at 11.1 percent. Other communities are trailing the state as well, including zip codes in Kiamesha Lake, Woodbourne, Swan Lake and Hurleyville. Those all have rates at or below 33%, compared to the state average of 70%.

McGraw says the county is tackling multiple challenges, including reaching more rural areas, and spreading fact while combating fiction.

“Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of misinformation that’s being spread, partly on social media, partly by word of mouth, about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine,” McGraw said.

These numbers come as Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces that the statewide average of 70% is the benchmark needed to lift most COVID-19 restrictions throughout New York. And while state leaders are optimistic about the direction the state is headed, local leaders say there is still more work to be done before the all-clear is given.

“If they have questions, they want to talk to somebody at public health, or they want to talk to their provider," McGraw said. "What are your questions, what are the reasons you’re hesitant, maybe, about getting the vaccine? What can we do to answer your questions?”

This has been corrected from an earlier version, which stated that five of the lowest 25 vaccine rates for municipalities were in Sullivan County. It has two in the bottom 25 among communities with a minimum population of 500.