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The Pfizer vaccine is rolling out slowly in the MidCoast local government area, with people reportedly finding it hard to get an appointment via the federal government's online eligibility checker. While the government is asking people to book through the eligibility checker, if you are trying to book for a Pfizer vaccine it appears you have two choices in Taree, one in Forster and one in Gloucester, that is if you are under 50 years of age. Manning Base Hospital is one of the Taree options listed on the website for bookings, however people are reporting they the receive the response "no bookings available" when they try. "It is busy, and we do appreciate everybody being patient," a spokesperson for Hunter New England Health District (HNEHD) said. HNEHD encourages people to keep trying to book through the eligibility tracker, or contact their GP. RELATED: Vaccine hesitancy puts community at risk Wynter Street Medical Centre is the other Taree practice listed for bookings on the eligibility checker, and is one of the very few clinics which has already received a supply of Pfizer, however they are offering it to their own patients first, and it is only a trial at this stage. A decision as to whether they continue to provide Pfizer will be made after the trial. Other medical centres in Taree, that are not listed on the eligibility checker, are waiting to receive their supplies of Pfizer with most not taking bookings until they receive it. The largest supplier of the Pfizer vaccine in Taree, apart from the hospital, is the Taree Respiratory Clinic behind the Health Hub in Butterworth Place carpark. Dr Simon Holliday, who runs the Respiratory Clinic, said they decided to take themselves off the government's booking system as they were getting a lot of bookings from people they knew to be ineligible for the Pfizer vaccine. RELATED: From complacency to panic: high demand for vaccines "We're currently offline because we've had hundreds and hundreds of people book and we have no idea if they're eligible. It meant we weren't able to ring people up and quiz them," Dr Holliday said, adding he had contacted the government about the problem but has had no reply. The Respiratory Clinic will be vaccinating 240 people a week with Pfizer starting Monday, July 12. In Forster, the Forster Tuncurry Medical Centre is ready to start vaccinating with Pfizer as soon as its supply arrives, however they have not been told when that will be. There is one other practice in Tuncurry which will also be offering Pfizer. RELATED: AstraZeneca vaccine soon available to over 60s at Old Bar However, if you are only eligible for or are willing to have AstraZeneca, there is a plentiful supply and not a lot of wait time for bookings. Clinics are reporting an upsurge in bookings for AstraZeneca because of both the opening of eligibility to people aged 18 and over, and concern because of the recent virus outbreak in Sydney. To check if you are eligible for a vaccination and to find out where to get it and book, go to covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au. Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: