TAMWORTH doctors have shown a wave of support for a COVID-19 vaccine, by putting their hands up to help roll out the jab to locals.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Primary Health Network (PHN) in charge of Tamworth, confirmed 50 GP practices across the New England region had expressed interest in being part of a plan to deliver coronavirus vaccines to residents.
That's about 85 per cent of all eligible practices, according to data from the PHN.
READ ALSO:
Northwest Health acting general manager Dr Ian Adair said the company was one of those keen on the vaccine, and it was now a "waiting game" to see if they would be successful.
"There is no question we have a very overt pro-vaccination policy so we are very happy to support anything that supports the community rollout of vaccinations," he told the Leader.
Northwest Health has clinics in Tamworth and Werris Creek, and also runs Tamworth Respiratory Clinic.
"On preliminary numbers, we believe that we can support all three locations," Dr Adair said.
"We've been looking from our end at things like staffing and gloves and what we need in terms of really basic stuff ... even couches for people to lie down on if they faint."
Tamworth has marked 10 months without a confirmed case of coronavirus, but Dr Adair warned it doesn't make the city immune.
"Just because Tamworth doesn't have cases now, doesn't mean people will stay in Tamworth and doesn't mean other people won't come and visit from places that haven't been so lucky," the doctor said.
"It would be a great shame if rural areas became the hubs of infection."
The 50 practices in the region are waiting on a decision from the Commonwealth.
The state government announced jabs would start in some NSW hospitals on Monday for the first eligible group of people, but Tamworth will have to wait its turn.