It was easy, pain-free and better than getting sick, he said.

This week, the Lake Cathie resident was one of the first to receive his COVID jab as the AstraZeneca vaccine rollout through pharmacies commenced in the Hastings.

Mr Dick and West Haven resident Kylie Ramsay were first in line at Bonny Hills Pharmacy.

Both welcomed the news that NSW Health vaccination clinics, participating general practices and now pharmacies across the state are open for COVID-19 vaccination bookings.

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Mr Dick, 59, got his first AstraZeneca vaccination on Wednesday, August 12.

"I've been trying to get vaccinated for a while but have just been a bit busy," he said.

"I've got two daughters that work in health care in Sydney and they were sorting it out to get me the jab down there at some stage. The eldest has had two AstraZeneca and the youngest has had two of Pfizer.

"I just thought it's a good thing to do now because when I go back to Sydney I'll be going back into a hot spot. Doesn't really matter which one I have but I made the call when I found out pharmacies are doing it.

"I don't want to keep waiting until something happens and I get really sick, instead I'll just get it done."

West Haven resident Kylie Ramsay also had her first vaccination the same day.

"I do have flu shots each year and I'm relieved to have my first COVID jab," she said.

"I was more nervous about the pain side of things from the needle rather than the thought of blood clots.

"I feel like the Hastings and Camden Haven is in a bit of a bubble at this stage. It's sort of closing in around us now that Dubbo and Tamworth have been shutdown too."

Go to the online COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker to find out when and where you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine or contact your local GP or pharmacy.

COVID-19 cases have spread from the Greater Sydney lockdown earlier this month and have made their way to Newcastle, Byron Bay, New England and Dubbo among other regional areas. Port Macquarie is so far unaffected.

Bonny Hills pharmacist Karen Pikett said vaccines arrived at her pharmacy on Tuesday, August 10 and began being administered this week.

"It's welcome to all for anyone over the age of 18, just by booking online. People can come along, fill in consent, make a decision and get the jab," Mrs Pikett.

"All my staff are fully trained and we have done a few thousand flu shots over the years.

"I've got 200 doses and I can order up to 600 a week. My hope is to make my times flexible so that people can come along in the afternoon after work.

"I also want to run some Saturday and Sunday clinics for parents because we are all busy people, we are running our kids everywhere and don't have time to get it during the week.

"There is a gap in the community of people who need it but can't always get the time to have it done. It's free to residents and I'm doing this as a community service because I believe we need this to open up the community again."

Mrs Pikett said the Moderna vaccine is expected to be available next month as well.

The Mid North Coast Local Health District will move its COVID-19 vaccination clinic from Port Macquarie Base Hospital to 35 Grant Street. The new clinic expected to open on Tuesday, August 17.

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