While Currajong Medical Centre began inoculating those aged 70 years and older who are eligible under Phase 1b on April 1 and more on April 8, Ochre Medical Centre in Parkes is running Covid vaccine clinics.

Ochre practice manager Cheryl McConnell wanted to let the Parkes community know the AstraZeneca vaccine is available at their centre and people do not need to be one of their patients to receive it.

"It's not only for our patients of the practice, it's for anyone who's eligible," she said.

"And clinics will run over weekends too for those who are working."

The practice has also started its flu vaccine clinics for those aged six months and older, and can start booking now.

Ochre practice nurse Hannah Davey wanted to alert people to some important information about the Covid-19 vaccine before booking.

"One of the main things the public needs to know is that the Covid-19 vaccine can't be given within two weeks of any other vaccine," she said.

Ms Davey said there's also an allocated amount of the AstraZeneca vaccine for each practice each week.

"We're only opening the clinics when the vaccine arrives so that we can guarantee the vaccine is here for those booked in," she said.

"Because it's a multi-dose vial they have to be used in a certain period of time."

Like the Western NSW Primary Health Network, Ochre is encouraging and reminding people to use the eligibility tracker on the Health Direct website - https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility.

"Anyone can go on that to check if they're eligible and it will tell them what classification they're under and which phase they'll be in," Ms Davey said.

"The health.gov.au website also has all the information on the Covid-19 vaccines.

"Everything about the vaccines gets updated on that website."

People eligible for the vaccine under Phase 1b include being 70 years and over, healthcare workers not included in Phase 1a, household contacts of quarantine and border workers, critical or high risk workers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 years and over, and adults with an underlying medical condition or significant disability.

AstraZeneca does not contain any live SARS-CoV-2 virus - the virus that causes Covid-19, and it cannot give people Covid-19.

It contains the genetic code for an important part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus called the spike protein that is carried into our cells by a common cold 'carrier' virus.

There can be some common side effects to the vaccine, where people can view on the health.gov.au website, but have been described as usually mild and go away within a day or two.

Those eligible can book online to have their Covid-19 vaccine or by calling Ochre Medical Centre Parkes on 6862 2511.

"We can go through the Covid vaccine with them if they have any questions or concerns," Ms Davey said.

"And when they book in for their first AstraZeneca vaccine, they're automatically booked in for their second dose 12 weeks later.

"Just make sure you don't forget your second appointment."

For those looking to book their flu vaccine with Ochre can do so by calling the practice as well. It costs $20 for private billing.

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