Gunnedah vaccination hub on the agenda of Mayor Jamie Chaffey, MP Mark Coulton

Mayor Jamie Chaffey said he was concerned the town's shortage of GPs had hindered the ability of locals to get protected.

He wants a second option, potentially through the federal government's mobile vaccination workforce program, contracted through Aspen Medical.

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"I've had a few people complain to me, some that have had bookings in Tamworth," he said.

"One, who was on her way to Tamworth to actually get her vaccine, was told to turn around because they didn't have the vaccine.

"We know we only have a handful of doctors left in Gunnedah and you can't get in to see one for any normal, routine medical support without a long wait, let alone get a vaccine. That's why we're looking at other options for mass vaccination clinic."

A recent study by the Rural Doctors' Network found that about 70 per cent of residents travelled outside the shire for their basic medical needs, because local doctors were overworked.

Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said he has approached the federal health minister, Greg Hunt, to see what can be done.

"I think we'll see these clinics popping up in different places, in areas of need. We're already seeing that. There was a clinic in Gilgandra yesterday, that was run by the Commonwealth government," he said.

"I've actually been talking to Greg Hunt's office this morning [Thursday] and with the Department of Health. The request for a clinic in Gunnedah has been passed on by me to General Frewen, who's in charge of the vaccine rollout."

Mr Coulton said the people of Gunnedah have had access to a vaccine "for months" but may not have had the same urgency in recent weeks, as they now do.

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"Generally the vaccination rates are lower than what we would like. That's largely... lack of access. In the early stages there was a little hesitancy, concern and complacency. I think what we've seen in the last couple of weeks with the Delta strain is that people realise this is a serious situation and people need to be vaccinated."

Cr Chaffey said people were telling him they wanted to get vaccinated, were being told by government to get vaccinated, but couldn't get in anywhere locally.

"[The virus is] all around us. It is a very real concern and it's one we're trying to look at the best options for our community," he said.

Armidale is preparing for a Super Saturday of mass vaccination, administered at a University of New England site.

Tamworth has a number of vaccination options, including a vaccination hub at the city's hospital.

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