Gunnedah Rural Health Centre to host region's first mass vaccination clinic

The event is set to take place at the Gunnedah Rural Health Centre between 9am and 2pm, and no appointments will be required to attend.

Mr Anderson said the walk-in approach would go a long way to attracting more people to get the jab, with the town currently sitting on a second-dose rate of just 25.4 per cent.

"It's so important that people get vaccinated and this is a real opportunity, it's no appointment, you can walk up between 9 and 2," he said.

"It doesn't matter if you don't have a Medicare care either, you can still come up and get vaccinated."

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The AstraZeneca vaccine will be available on the day.

The hub, which is being run by Hunter New England Health, has been strongly called for by local groups, who were concerned the region's GP shortage would put them behind in the race to get vaccinated.

Mr Anderson praised Gunnedah GPs and pharmacies for their efforts, especially during last week's vax-a-thon which led to a 9.1 per cent jump in first doses within the local government area.

"I've got great respect and acknowledge the workload of the Gunnedah GPs ... they're going over and above in terms of vaccinating," he said.

"I really want to make sure there is no barrier to access for the Gunnedah community to be able to get the vaccine."

He said there couldn't be a more important time for residents to roll up their sleeves given traces of COVID-19 have been found in Gunnedah sewage.

Praise was also heaped on Gunnedah health services manager Stephen Joyce, who Mr Anderson said was "instrumental" in setting up the mass vaccination hub.

A hub has also been announced for Tamworth, at the Sports Dome on September 12.

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