"The pharmacy has been doing flu vaccinations now for five years, so COVID was a logical next step and we thought it would make it more accessible to people," she said.

"It will help the community get vaccinated quicker and reduce future outbreaks, country GPs are really busy so this is another outlet to get vaccination for people when the doctor is booked out and it's hard to get in."

Ms Sevil has already completed state government COVID training online to give the jab.

Pharmacy staff will need to be trained on booking procedures and vaccine handling, because they must be kept at a certain temperature.

Final processes are still being completed, but Ms Sevil hopes to start around July 15.

PHARMACIES in the region are among the first in the state to be able to administer the crucial COVID-19 vaccine.

Uralla, Guyra and Walcha pharmacies have been given approval to give the AstraZeneca jab from mid-July as part of a pilot program to boost the vaccine rollout.

The regional towns were part of 22 chosen for people 60 and older in places where access to a GP or vaccine clinic is limited due to geography.

It's a vital step to make sure as many people in NSW get the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

"We know that some of these communities have limited local access to general practitioner services, and having these pharmacies involved will assist with the phased rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine to these communities," she said.

Community pharmacies can only give the vaccine to people older than 60 and must have the written consent of a patient.

Anyone with a contraindication or precaution to vaccination cannot be vaccinated at the pharmacies.

Staff will undergo mandatory training to be able to deliver the jab and will need to record every shot they give.

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It's expected more pharmacies will join the program in the future as the state government tries to raise the number of vaccinations amid the current COVID-19 outbreak.

There's a significant demand for vaccination bookings and the new pathway will make it easier of people to get the jab, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.

"I want to reassure the community that everyone in NSW who wants to be vaccinated, will be vaccinated as soon as possible when it's their turn," he said.

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