Barraba residents left waiting: Locals say COVID-19 vaccination appointments postponed due to lack of GPs

This week, more than 50 people had their vaccination appointments postponed in the town due to a lack of available GPs.

Barraba local David Crummy said he was due to have his AstraZeneca vaccine on Wednesday afternoon at the Barraba Medical Centre, but he received a call that day to say his appointment was pushed back.

He said it was because there was no GP available on the day to administer the jab, and he booked in to the Manilla Rural Health Centre for this weekend's 'Super Saturday' vax-a-thon because he didn't want to miss out.

Barraba Medical Centre said the appointments were postponed due to the doctor having a personal reason to leave town.

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Mr Crummy is concerned about those who may not be able to travel to surrounding centres.

"We have two doctors servicing the whole town on rotation and one is coming from Victoria and the other is coming from the Central Coast," he said.

"They're both good doctors, that's not the problem. We're just really lucky we have a terrific hospital and the staff here are great and the ambulance here which is wonderful. But the issue is lack of GPs."

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson told the Leader there was still ample opportunities for Barraba residents to get vaccinated, and they should travel to Manilla to get the jab.

"Our regional communities are very important to us and it's very important that they are vaccinated. That's why they are allowed to travel to travel to a vaccination point," he said.

"For Manilla, the Rural Health Clinic in the main street will be open to those communities in and around Manilla.

"There's Somerton, there's Attunga, there's Barraba, there are other areas around there. So our message is clear, go and get vaccinated. It's the same for Nundle and Werris Creek and those other smaller centres.

"Find your nearest vaccination centre and go and get vaccinated this weekend."

Pharmacies and GPs across Tamworth, Gunnedah and Manilla are preparing for a 48-hour vax-a-thon with a target of 3000 AstraZeneca jabs in local arms.

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