Tamworth COVID-19: plans for sports dome to become walk-in vaccination hub after 2800 jabbed during weekend 'vax-a-thon'

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said a 'vax-a-thon' across Tamworth, Gunnedah and Manilla on the weekend was the first phase and was an "outstanding success", with 2800 jabs in arms.

Now, he wants to "remove any barrier to getting vaccinated" and believes a walk-in, no appointment needed hub could be the way to do so.

Representatives from the University of Newcastle, University of New England, Hunter New England Health and Tamworth Regional Council met with Mr Anderson via video conference on Monday to talk through the logistics.

Tamworth Mayor Col Murray said council has offered the Tamworth Sports Dome as a host facility and will provide resources to assist with the conduction of the walk-up vaccination clinic.

While no date has been set yet, Cr Murray said Friday or Saturday were the preferred options and we could see the hub operating within the next few weeks.

"It's a massive logistical piece to put this together. We've committed to having another meeting at 11am on Wednesday so hopefully we will have some more information after that meeting," he added.

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"This is a real genuine partnership. It's great to see the health resources of Hunter New England Health, University of Newcastle and UNE being committed in a partnership here for Tamworth."

Not including the weekend's data, 57 per cent of Tamworth's population has had their first vaccination dose and 30 per cent have had their second dose.

But these are statistics both the mayor and local MP would like to see drastically improved.

"Manilla was the shining light on the weekend with 270 people vaccinated in Manilla and a few coming down from Barraba as well. So it goes to show if you put it on they will come," Mr Anderson said.

Tamworth remains on high alert after fragments of the virus were found in Tamworth sewage twice last week during testing which occurred on Tuesday and Thursday, despite no known local cases.

Authorities have again urged locals to get tested if they have any symptoms, reminding the community that wait times to receive results have been reduced to within 48 hours.

The NSW Sewage Surveillance Program will now be undergoing weekly tests of Tamworth wastewater on Monday and Wednesday. Previously testing had been done on Tuesday and Thursday.

"We watch very closely what happens from here on because whilst the sewerage testing hasn't proven to be the be all end all of Covid management it's certainly a very important tool and strongly indicative of what's actually happening out there," Cr Murray said.

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