Pfizer doses are being redistributed to south west and western Sydney due to the need to vaccinate Year 12 students in the LGAs most affected by the current COVID-19 outbreak and reduce the risk of the virus escaping into the regions from one of their household contacts, such as an authorised worker.

Up to 40,000 Pfizer doses will be allocated from NSW Health's rural and regional supply of COVID-19 vaccine to help Year 12 students in south west and western Sydney get back to school for face-to-face learning on 16 August.

The Pfizer doses will be sourced from supplies across rural and regional NSW to ensure no one area is impacted.

GPs continue to supply Pfizer vaccinations in regional NSW, and their supplies from the Federal Government are unaffected by this reallocation. AstraZeneca remains available from GPs, NSW Health clinics and a growing number of pharmacies.

NSW Health can assure those in regional NSW who have had a first Pfizer dose they will receive their second dose.

The growing outbreak of the Delta strain in Sydney is a major threat to our regional communities.

Increasing the number of people who are vaccinated, even with their first dose, not only protects people from serious illness and death but also reduces the likelihood someone will acquire and spread the virus.

Clinical evidence shows a significant reduction in transmission of COVID-19 following vaccination. The likelihood of household transmission was reduced by about 50 per cent three to four weeks following vaccination.

Anyone in rural and regional NSW with an existing booking at a NSW Health clinic who has not yet received their first Pfizer dose will be contacted as soon as possible if their booking is going to be impacted.

People can check to see if they are eligible to receive a vaccine, and if eligible, book an appointment at a clinic, via the Australian Government eligibility checker.