Last week staff at the Leeton District Hospital and residents at Carramar received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Paramedics were also vaccinated on the day.

The doses were administered by health staff as part of mobile clinics which have been visiting smaller hospitals and aged care facilities in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District in recent weeks.

"Planning for the vaccine rollout has been a huge task," said COVID-19 co-ordinator Emma Field.

"It's been important to ensure that the rollout is done in a manner that ensures continuity of services and that is why we have adopted a staggered approach."

The vaccine rollout is being led by the Australian government, with the NSW government responsible for implementing parts of the program with a focus on priority/vulnerable populations in NSW.

MLHD chief executive Jill Ludford was pleased with the speed with which the vaccination was being rolled out across the area.

"We anticipate that NSW healthcare workers in the region and aged care residents living in our multi-purpose services will be vaccinated by the end of April," she said.

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"This vaccine brings us another step closer to reducing the harm caused by the virus, and keeping vulnerable people in our communities safe."

To date, over 2000 priority 1A and 1B health care workers have been vaccinated across the MLHD.

For those who qualify at the moment to receive the vaccine, they can book an appointment at several general practices in Leeton shire to do so.

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