LGH COVID vaccination clinic launched for healthcare and hotel quarantine workers

The clinic was established near the hospital pharmacy to vaccinate people in the 1A category, available by appointment only.

A clinic will also start operating in the North West Regional Hospital.

Related: Tasmania's strong vaccination record gives health minister confidence

The hospitals will draw upon their authorised nurse immunisers and other registered nurses who have undergone a two-week program including emergency procedures, anaphylaxis response and the drawing up procedure for the vials.

Vaccine fridges have been installed and extra security measures have been put in place.

North and North-West director of pandemic response, Jan Coull, said the hospitals were able to find suitable space for the clinics "in a very short timeframe".

She said staff had received extensive training.

"The nurses that we are using are predominantly already authorised nurse immunisers, and the other registered nurses that we have will work under the supervision of those authorised nurse immunisers," Ms Coull said.

"All staff working in the clinic, including the administrative staff, have all done the required COVID modules that the Royal College of Nursing have on their website, so everyone has done that additional training."

Patients will fill out a consent form prior to arrival and will be able to speak with the nurse immuniser at their appointment to answer any questions before receiving the vaccination. They will then be sent to a post-observation waiting room for 15 to 30 minutes.

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The government hopes to complete 1A by mid-April.

The 1B rollout, which includes 180,000 Tasmanians, will begin later this week with GP and community clinics. The government expects the 1B rollout will take four months.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said the vaccination would be available in every corner of the state.

"There will be plenty of time, and the state government will ensure that if there is a GP in your area that is unable to deliver a vaccine for you, or perhaps if you live in an area without a GP, we will make sure we come to your community to make sure those that are most vulnerable are vaccinated first," she said.

"If you are in 1B, there's nothing you need to do now. We will be advertising extensively and there will be plenty of time for you to get vaccinated either from your GP or from one of the state-run clinics."