Tamworth COVID-19 vaccine rollout: what being a 'satellite site' means for local immunisation

John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle will become a 'hub' for the jab from March 15, and will supply doses of the vaccine to places like Tamworth, Armidale and Werris Creek, which were announced as 'satellite sites' on Saturday.

Hunter New England Health (HNEH) COVID-19 vaccination program coordinator Elizabeth Grist told the Leader the details of the rollout were being worked out.

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"I hope within the month we can get to the satellite sites," Ms Grist said.

She said Tamworth's temporary vaccination clinic is likely to be set up at the hospital and will target frontline healthcare workers, who are first in line to get the jab in the phased rollout.

It will be run by local staff who are being trained to administer the Pfizer vaccine, and supplemented by workers from Newcastle.

Smaller towns like Werris Creek and Bingara were named as satellite sites, because the health authority has a responsibility to offer the vaccine to aged care residents at multi-purpose centres run by HNEH.

Gunnedah was left off the list, but Ms Grist assured the town's health professionals they would be able to access the vaccine soon.

"Gunnedah staff would come to Tamworth to receive their vaccine ... it would absolutely be during work time," she said.

The satellite sites are designed to be short-term, and Tamworth residents further down the priority list will likely be jabbed at local GP clinics and pharmacies.

"We will have very clear communication and people will know exactly how to access vaccines and book in and at any time if anybody has concerns, they can always call HNEH and they will be put through to the communications, or I can address any issues," Ms Grist said.

"I know there are a lot of things to be clarified, but we are working through every single one of those ... everyone will get the option to take up the vaccine if they want to."

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