NT residents eager to get COVID-19 vaccine struggling to book appointment

Stefan Evele wants a COVID-19 vaccination but has not been able to book an appointment for one.  (ABC News: Hamish Harty)

Darwin resident Stefan Evele has been trying to get a COVID-19 vaccination for weeks.

But despite the opening of a new mass vaccination centre in Darwin this week, locking in an appointment for the jab has been almost impossible.

Mr Evele had hoped to take advantage of the NT government's decision early last month to allow anyone over 16 to get a Pfizer vaccine.

But a surge in demand and a shortage of supply has left him and many others struggling to get a booking.

"I would have had the vaccine the first day it rolled out," he said.

"It's personally frustrating because if more of the population were actually vaccinated, instead of having things like the lockdown, my partner could have visited during school holidays, I could visit my aging parents in Adelaide."

Supply will increase, government says

Health Minister Natasha Fyles said she was confident the Territory would not run out of vaccines.  (ABC News: Mitchell Woolnough)

Last month, the NT's Deputy Chief Health Officer, Charles Pain, declared the Territory was "very much in a race" to get vaccinated.

At the time, Health Minister Natasha Fyles said she was confident the Territory's vaccine supply would not run out.

"There's plenty of supply coming through and that supply will increase over the next few months," she said.

If you are under the age of 60 and living in the NT’s capital it can be near impossible to get a booking. (ABC News)

Appointments through the government booking system are available in Alice Springs, Borroloola, Maningrida, Nhulunbuy and Tennant Creek.

But in Darwin, Katherine and Pine Creek, appointments only appear to be available when others cancel their existing timeslots.

The Health Minister said the Territory was continuing to work with the Commonwealth around vaccine supplies, which were being restocked on a regular basis.

The minister did not respond to a question about when more appointments would become available.

New vaccine clinic to help with demand

The Darwin COVID-19 Vaccination Centre is set to open on Wednesday at the Italian Club in Marrara.

Priority is being given to Indigenous Australians, people between the ages of 40 and 59, frontline workers and people with a medical condition.

According to the NT government's coronavirus website, almost 30,000 Territorians have received their second vaccination since the rollout began. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)

"This new centre will open up more appointments for Territorians, which will ensure more protection for the community," Ms Fyles said.

The number of Darwin GP clinics administering Pfizer is also expected to ramp up this month.

Sixteen pharmacies across the NT will be able to give the AstraZeneca jab from July 12.

According to the NT government's coronavirus website, almost 30,000 Territorians have received their second vaccination since the rollout began.