As Canberra GPs prepare for more Pfizer doses coming their way, feelings are mixed.
Some are looking forward to more practices coming on board to share the workload as vaccine fatigue sets in.
"People have worked six days a week to get the vaccinations in arms," Fisher Family Practice business manager Kylie Gibson said.
"People have worked during their annual leave, doctors have come in on their annual leave instead of having annual leave to get the job done."
Fisher Family Practice has been receiving 300 doses a week. Its affiliated site, Holder Family Practice, will come on board to help administer doses with the increase.
"We haven't increased our supplies at the moment or requested increase to supply just simply because we're a general practice, and we do need to continue our usual care as well," Ms Gibson said.
"So it's good to have more practices come on board and have fewer practices being overwhelmed."
Allocations of the vaccine, which typically range from 300-600 doses per fortnight will be increasing in coming weeks to an expected range of 600-900 doses per fortnight, Capital Health Network said.
Though Commonwealth vaccination clinics do receive larger allocations.
Gungahlin General Practice has been asking for additional Pfizer doses for some time, practice manager Ann Maree Uren said.
Its usual 150 doses per week have been bumped up to 300, and while storage is already in place for the extra doses, planning out bookings to avoid any wastage is the main challenge.
"Because it's six doses in a vial, and they've got to be used within six hours of being opened, we have to be really strict with our appointment booking, so there's no wastage," Ms Uren said.
"The main preparations is for me to open up the appointments with the set amount for that day.
"And then also, we have to make sure in three weeks' time that we've got the same amount available to book them for the second doses."
She said the extra doses wouldn't be delivered until the week ending October 1.
Ms Uren said there was "always lots of interest" in securing Pfizer bookings.
When it was announced 16- to 29-year-olds could book Pfizer appointments "our phones just went red hot all day", she said.
Managing inquiries about vaccinations has been an enormous effort, overseen by GP receptionists, Ms Gibson said.
"On Monday, when we released 150 new appointments, someone told us they tried 408 times to get through on the phones before they finally could speak to a receptionist," Ms Gibson said.
"Our reception team has been working, constantly answering calls and giving advice.
"It has been very challenging but worthwhile because people are getting vaccinated in Canberra, which is very satisfying to see."
