He arrived at Northwest Health for scripts on Monday afternoon, and walked out partly immunised against COVID-19.

It's understood Mr Bonarius became the first person in Tamworth to be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine after it was delivered to a handful of local GP clinics on Monday.

"I came up for a routine check-up and to get some scripts, and it turned up while I was here," he told the Leader.

"I feel very well, I'm pleased to have it."

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Mr Bonarius said he hadn't seen his daughter in Victoria for a year, due to the rapidly changing situation.

"You never know when they're going to shut the borders or get trapped in the wrong state and I have a little dog at home," he said.

"Hopefully, everything will get back to normal."

Mr Bonarius was headed straight home to "surprise" his wife with the news, and will head back to the clinic in 12 weeks' time for his second dose.

Northwest Health GP Dr Ian Kamerman had been waiting "anxiously" for vials of the COVID-19 vaccine to arrive in Tamworth.

The doses were scheduled to be rolled out to eligible practices in the city from March 22.

In an "extremely" frustrating lead-up, Dr Kamerman spent Monday morning wondering when the delivery would arrive.

"Really pleased, I'm really pleased to have it here as I think all the staff were," he said.

"I think our community is going to be a whole lot safer once more and more people get vaccinated."

Northwest Health will begin booking in appointments for Phase 1b people to get the jab from Wednesday, at Tamworth Respiratory Clinic.

"We are authorised to give 400 doses per week so we'll start doing them on Wednesday at the vaccination centre in Calala, and Thursday and Friday we will be going full tilt," Dr Kamerman said.

That timeline also gives the practice a chance to vaccinate staff and get processes in order.

Northwest Health expects to take in deliveries of between 400 and 500 doses of the vaccine per week, until it is re-evaluated in about a month's time.

The rollout of the jab to private clinics is the responsibility of the Commonwealth, and locals can check their eligibility and closest vaccination centre online at covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility.

Dr Kamerman asked those eligible to book an appointment online, or contact the clinic if necessary.

This stage of the vaccination rollout will cover Phase 1b patients - which includes people over 70; people with serious underlying conditions; and Aboriginal and Torrest Strait Islander people over the age of 55 years.

There are five first-in-line practices in Tamworth, and other surgeries may have different timelines and booking processes.

There is a separate clinic opening at Tamworth hospital on March 29, but that will be run by Hunter New England Health and will only vaccinate frontline healthcare workers.

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