He says the AstraZeneca vaccine will begin to arrive in the WNSW PHN region on March 22, the same day the 1b phase begins.

Mr Strickland said 56 general practices across the region would deliver phase 1b jabs for people over the age of 70; people with serious underlying conditions; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 55, as well as some critical and high-risk workers and healthcare workers.

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"This number does not include Aboriginal community controlled health organisations or GP-led respiratory clinics, as we do not have access to those details at this time," he said.

Mr Strickland said general practices which lodged an expression of interest and met criteria had been notified of their role in the rollout.

"Practices who opted out of the rollout or did not meet the initial criteria will be considered at a later stage as vaccine supplies become available," he said.

The acting chief executive officer had advice for Western NSW residents wanting the jab.

"Many patients will gradually be able to get vaccinated at their usual general practice," he said.

"This will take time to work through and is dependent on supply of vaccine doses for Australia.

"If you are a part of phase 1b you can ask your usual practice if they are part of the vaccination rollout and when they can book you in."

Mr Strickland said the arrival date of the vaccine at each practice would be "progressive over a four-week timeframe".

The WNSW PHN is encouraging GPs not involved in the rollout to provide "shared health summaries" for patients as they become eligible for the vaccine.

"Patients will need to provide proof of eligibility relevant to their phase and that may include, but not be limited to, evidence of age such as a driver's licence," Mr Strickland said.

Patients eligible to be vaccinated under phase 1b will be able to access information on making an appointment for the jab through the National Health Services Directory (NHSD) at about.healthdirect.gov.au/nhsd.

"We expect that details of the general practices providing vaccinations will be available to the public on the NHSD shortly," Mr Strickland said.

The WNSW PHN is encouraging use of www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines by people who want to know more about the rollout.

Meanwhile, NSW Health has provided an update on preparations for the 1a phase in Western NSW where Dubbo Hospital is a vaccination hub. Read What the federal government says you should do before having a COVID jab .

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