From now, the three COVID-19 vaccination clinics run by Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) will move to an online booking system.

Future bookings at the NSW Health clinics in Tweed Heads, Lismore and Grafton will be made through the vaccine eligibility checker at health.gov.au rather than the previous phone booking system.

COVID-19 Vaccination Program Coordinator for NNSWLHD, Matt Long, said the change will make it easier and quicker for people to book appointments.

“We’re excited to move to the new online system which offers people more freedom to browse and book appointments when it suits them,” Mr Long said.

“While our 1800 phone booking line was a good interim solution when our clinics first opened, the online system will improve the accessibility of appointments as demand increases in our area, in line with more age groups becoming eligible for the vaccines.”

A new Public Health Order was issued on 26 August requiring all NSW Health staff to receive a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine by 30 September.

In responding to this direction, NSW Health frontline workers will continue to receive priority access to vaccines through the three Health-run clinics in Tweed Heads, Lismore and Grafton.

“We have appointments available for the AstraZeneca vaccine, and we encourage people to book in for a vaccination as soon as they are able to,” Mr Long said. “While our Pfizer appointments are currently fully booked, we’ll open up future bookings as we get a clearer picture of vaccine availability in the coming weeks.”

Available appointments can change at short notice, and if there are no available bookings at a location near you soon, please continue to visit the eligibility checker as more vaccination appointments become available.

There are approximately 30 clinics providing Pfizer vaccinations throughout the Northern Rivers, including GP practices, GP Respiratory Clinics and Aboriginal Medical Services, as well as multiple clinics offering AstraZeneca vaccinations.