![HUB HOPE: Local member Kevin Anderson said it is his intention to get a mass vaccination hub set up in Tamworth and Gunnedah. Photo: Peter Hardin HUB HOPE: Local member Kevin Anderson said it is his intention to get a mass vaccination hub set up in Tamworth and Gunnedah. Photo: Peter Hardin](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/cody.tsaousis/8f088c7b-42d3-43ea-99bd-c6d00e20c6c4.jpg/r0_0_5534_3689_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
MASS VACCINATION hubs are a step closer to reality for the region as Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson reveals two locations are being looked at by public health officials.
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At a press conference on Monday, Mr Anderson said discussions were being had with health experts and clinicians about how the hubs could be set up in the near future.
Talks have reached the stage where two locations have been identified and more vaccines could be on their way to the region, Mr Anderson said.
"Those conversations are continuing in terms of how we set that up," he said.
"We're looking at the Sports Dome where we might be able to set it up out there, the Gunnedah Rural Health Centre would be another option for Gunnedah.
"So it's lining the ducks up, getting more vaccinations, we're making requests to the Primary Health Network to get further Pfizer vaccinations."
While Tamworth is an obvious spot for a hub as a major regional centre, Mr Anderson said there was a strong case for Gunnedah to have one too.
He believes the health crisis being faced by the town - with practices finding it hard to attract and retain GPs - means mass vaccinations might be necessary.
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"Gunnedah continues to be a focus because they don't have the GP capacity," he said.
"I was talking to GPs in Gunnedah on Friday and they are under the pump, they really are, so we're doing everything we can to support that community."
Deputy Premier John Barilaro spoke about the potential for a mass vaccination clinic in Gunnedah at the first press conference for regional media since the recent outbreak of the pandemic, on Monday afternoon.
He said while many resources are being funnelled into dealing with Sydney outbreak, the state government would look at addressing communities that have been left vulnerable due to a lack of access to health care.
"The focus will be in those areas of concern where we will put in place mobile vaccination hubs, and we're also considering the mass vaccinations hubs as we get more supplies in broader centres," he said.
"And also mobile vaccination vans where we can go to very remote communities where they'll have no access to pharmacists or a GP."
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