The 74-year-old is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 after having a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Saturday [June 19].

"I'm at risk and I run a busy business, Moisture Cure," he said.

A bit of lethargy and lightheadedness followed Mr Knuckey's first vaccine dose and he reported no side effects after the second jab.

Mr Knuckey would like to resume overseas travel, for example, with the vaccination program integral to our borders reopening down the track.

The national vaccine program is part of an integrated strategy to mitigate against COVID-19 with the aim of offering vaccinations to all Australians who want them by the end of the year.

"If you have the opportunity [to be vaccinated], do it," Mr Knuckey said.

"It costs you nothing - why wouldn't you protect yourself?"

More than 109,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered, as of June 15, across the Healthy North Coast footprint, which covers from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie and inland.

The Ballina Commonwealth Vaccination Clinic began administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine this week and will be able to start accepting people aged 40 to 59.

Planning is underway to increase the number of Commonwealth vaccination clinics offering the Pfizer vaccine.

The other six Commonwealth vaccination clinics in the region are at Wauchope, Kempsey, Murwillumbah, Casino, Yamba and Nambucca Heads.

Additionally, 20 local general practices are due to begin administering the Pfizer vaccine from July 5, with a further 10 starting on July 12.

More practices are expected to come on board from July 19.

Four clinics in Port Macquarie, one in Wauchope and two in Kempsey have been approved to administer Pfizer vaccines.

There are more people in line for the Pfizer vaccine after the federal government announced that Pfizer is the preferred vaccine for people aged 59 and under, based on updated advice from the expert vaccine body.

The updated advice is based on new evidence demonstrating a higher risk than initially thought for the very rare blood-clotting thrombosis in the 50-59 year-old age group, linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

AstraZeneca is recommended for people aged over 60.

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation strongly recommends people of all ages who have had the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine without serious adverse effects have their second dose of AstraZeneca.

Meanwhile, the Mid North Coast Local Health District is continuing vaccinations in line with the COVID-19 national vaccination program at its clinics at Port Macquarie Base Hospital and Coffs Harbour Health Campus.

It is vaccinating staff with second vaccine doses and eligible members of the public when appointments become available.

The best way for people to find out when and where to book a vaccination is by using the online vaccine eligibility checker and clinic finder.

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