The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will set up pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics across 33 communities in 23 days, to give thousands of local residents the chance to get vaccinated.

WNSWLHD Chief Executive Scott McLachlan said the operation would start in West Dubbo with a walk-in clinic opening at 9am on Saturday 21 August at Pioneer Park and operate for the next nine days.

“In total there will be five mobile teams, involving at least 72 ADF personnel. Each team will be supported by healthcare workers, including Aboriginal health workers,” said Mr McLachlan.

“Over a three-week period the mobile teams will spend between one and five days in each location, offering free Covid-19 vaccinations. At the end of that initial three weeks, the teams will go back again to deliver the second dose. Both AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines will be available, depending on each person’s eligibility.

“On an average day we expect that the mobile service will be able to offer up to 300 vaccinations, and in a site like West Dubbo, the capacity could be as high as 600 doses per day.

“We’ve seen the Delta strain of COVID-19 attack our communities and while the current lockdown should help, getting vaccinated is clearly our best weapon."

According to Mr McLachlan increasing the number of vaccinated people across the LHD will reduce the chance of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 or spreading it to others.

He said having the ADF in regional NSW to assist in the vaccination rollout was an "incredible opportunity" for rural communities and people should take advantage of them while they're here.

“We’re asking everyone in these communities to not let the opportunity pass them by," he said.

"People shouldn’t call their local hospitals to try and book at these clinics, they are walk-in clinics so there’s no need to book at all.

“Just get down to the clinic when it comes to town, get your first shot and come back again for your second one a few weeks later."

Mr McLachlan clarified the AstraZeneca - recently renamed to Vaxzevria to line up with international branding - and Pfizer vaccines are completely safe and effective and clinic staff will be happy to help with any other questions or concerns.

The full list of communities where the vaccination clinics will be set up and on what dates they will be there can be found below, or on our COVID-19 button for future reference. Specific venues and opening times are yet to be confirmed.

You don't have to wait. In the meantime, be sure to contact your local GP or pharmacy that are offering COVID-19 vaccinations to try and book an appointment.

In addition to the new pop-up vaccination clinics, current vaccination hubs in Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst will also be stepping up their operating hours, with Mr McLachlan stating this was a perfect opportunity to keep western communities safe.

ADF/WNSWLHD Vaccination Clinic locations:

West Dubbo

Pioneer Park

Saturday 21 August - Sunday 29 August - 9am – 4.30pm

Venues and opening times to be confirmed:

Bourke - 24 August – 26 August

Warren - 23 August – 24 August

Parkes - 24 August – 26 August

Brewarrina - 27 August - 29 August

Narromine - 25 August – 26 August

Peak Hill - 27 August

Trangie - 27 August – 28 August

Forbes - 28 August – 30 August

Grawin/Sheepyard - 30 August

Nyngan - 30 August – 1 September

Grenfell - 31 August

Lightning Ridge - 31 August – 1 September

Trundle - 2 September

Dunedoo - 2 September – 4 September

Goodooga - 2 September

Condobolin - 3 September – 4 September

Mudgee - 30 August – 3 September

Canowindra - 1 September

Collarenebri - 3 September – 4 September

Rylstone - 4 September – 5 September

Eugowra - 2 September  

Gulgong - 30 August – 1 September

Cowra - 3 September – 4 September

Walgett - 6 September – 8 September

Gilgandra - 11 September – 12 September

Cobar - 6 September – 8 September

Bathurst - 6 September – 10 September

Coonamble - 9 September – 10 September

Coonabarabran - 10 September – 12 September

Kandos - 6 September

Coolah - 7 September – 9 September

Orange - 6 September – 10 September