A mass vaccination hub in Wollongong will open its doors a week earlier than planned on Monday, but it will not be operating at full capacity due to a limited supply of the Pfizer vaccine.
It is the second mass vaccination hub to open in New South Wales after a similar facility was set up in Belmont near Newcastle in July.
Situated on Wollongong's Crown Street mall, the centre will employ 400 staff capable of administering 2,500 vaccine doses a day.
But it will not be hitting that mark immediately because of vaccine availability.
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) has secured enough doses to vaccinate people with existing appointments but is waiting for more Pfizer.
"There is a lot of pressure on vaccine supply," executive director Caroline Langston said.
"We will be able to continue to supply [the vaccines] we have now and as soon as we have word of increased supply, we will be able to create more bookings."
Bookings shuffled
Residents already booked in for vaccinations at Wollongong or Shellharbour hospitals will have their appointments transferred to the hub.
That will see hub booked out until October and new bookings will be added to a waiting list.
"We currently have bookings booked up for two months so as the supply becomes available, we are able to add to that," Ms Langston said.
Shortage highlights 'bungle'
Labor's state health spokesperson Ryan Park said it was good news that the hub would be up and running ahead of time.
But he said he was disappointed it would not be operating at full capacity straight away.
"It is an enormous problem and it highlights the vaccination program and the bungling of this program by the federal government," Mr Park said.
"It is disappointing that we won't have the full capacity ready to go by Monday."
The hub will be operating during regular business hours six days a week, but will be able to extend its operations when supplies increase.
ISLHD will be setting up an AstraZeneca vaccination centre in Shellharbour next week.
