Greg and Ruth Cocking are long-term Manilla locals, and have been trying to book in for a vaccine before they take off on a trip around Australia.

"The government is telling us to get the jab, get the jab, but then when you want to get the jab, you can't get it," Mr Cocking told the Leader.

He said he personally didn't mind driving to Tamworth for an appointment when he found out there were no AstraZeneca supplies being delivered in his home town, but he had struggled with the online systems.

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"I can do a little bit of computer work but I can't get online all the time," Mr Cocking said.

"It's no good for me and it's no good for older people.

"There are a lot of older people out here that can't drive ... nobody's happy because you have to go to Tamworth."

He said he had eventually been given a phone number for the respiratory clinic in Tamworth and got his first dose on Tuesday.

Mr Cocking said he was concerned other people in his community - his own mates even - who might be willing to get vaccinated against the virus could be missing out or putting it off.

Manilla's Rural Medical Clinic principal GP Dr Emma Moffatt said she had concerns about the "gap" left for people - especially the vulnerable - in smaller towns.

She was happy to confirm the clinic had applied to become a vaccination centre in the second round of expressions of interest, and could start receiving doses later this month.

"People have expressed that they are not willing to travel to Tamworth, some don't have transport available," she said.

"A lot of our patients are older people ... and I think others just want the confidence of having it at their own general practice."

She said the clinic was handing out phone numbers for other practices but had chosen not to be involved in the initial rollout to GPs, because she was worried the small practice might be inundated.

But, she sad the clinic has been expressing a wish for some time now to get on board.

"Our priority is to see our community vaccinated with high vaccination rates and that means assisting with the rollout of the campaign here," she said.

Some Tamworth GPs - like the respiratory clinic - are accepting phone bookings to give the AstraZeneca shot to people aged over 50, and the hospital also has appointments.

People aged 40-49 can book a Pfizer jab at the hospital online.

Call the COVID-19 hotline for help on 1800 020 080.

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