Bathurst pharmacies ready to offer AstraZeneca vaccines

Forbutt's Pharmacy is expecting to begin vaccinations on Friday, August 13, though not all pharmacies have received their orders.

Moodie's Pharmacy Bathurst pharmacist Paul Jones said they have completed all the necessary requirements to be part of the COVID vaccination program and are waiting for the vaccines to arrive.

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"We've got everything in place ready to go, but we can't open bookings on our online booking until we actually have the stock," he said.

"They don't give you a definitive date, it just turns up.

"My understanding is they're prioritising COVID lockdown areas, obviously Sydney, Dubbo, anywhere else that's been locked down; they're prioritising those pharmacies at this point in time."

Mr Jones said all Bathurst pharmacies will only be offering the AstraZeneca vaccine and not Pfizer.

"No pharmacies are actually getting Pfizer because of the cold chain associated with it," he said.

"It comes out of a freezer at -70 degrees and whilst it can be at normal vaccine temperature, from two to eight degrees, for 30 days, it's just the logistics of handling something that's frozen at that temperature.

"There's a shortage of Pfizer in Australia anyhow; they're just prioritising those lockdown areas."

Meanwhile, Capital Chemist pharmacy assistant Kristy Powyer said they are expecting to begin vaccinating people next week.

"Just call up and we can book them in or come in store and we can book them in," she said.

"We're just doing them on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at this stage."

The Pfizer vaccine is available at local medical centres for eligible people, with eligibility criteria based on factors including age and occupation.

More information on eligibility and vaccinations can be found on the NSW Government Health website.