Orange's pop-up vaccination hub at the Ian Armstrong building was forced to start turning people away before opening at 9am after droves lined up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
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Co-ordinating the hub was senior volunteer firefighter Chris Googe from the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Mr Googe said by 8am the clinic reached its 500 capacity for the day, with those in line overwhelmingly wanting the Pfizer vaccine.
Despite the mammoth task of co-ordinating the clinic, Mr Googe said it had been surprisingly smooth. The most difficult aspect was maintaining social distancing.
Western NSW Local Health District (WNLHD) chief executive Scott McLachlan said while the clinic was currently capped at 500 doses a day, they were hoping to increase that number.
He also urged people to consider AstraZeneca as an option.
"We'll see about 3500 to 4000 people vaccinated in the next week in both Bathurst and Orange. It's a great start but we know for the size of the community there's a lot of other opportunities out there for vaccination," Mr McLachlan said.
"There's a big supply coming into the country in the next 24-48 hours and ... I expect to see an increase [of] vaccine coming into the region."
Adelle Barton, 26, was one of the first to receive her Pfizer vaccine at the clinic after waiting in line since 6am.
Like many others, Miss Barton had been trying to get the Pfizer vaccine for sometime but only AstraZeneca was available.
Also receiving his first dose of Pfizer was 13-year-old Ajay Sara. Accompanied by mum Emma Sara, Ajay had been waiting in line for over three hours after arriving at 8am.
The teenager said he was little bit nervous about getting his first jab but was keen to get it so he could see his mates and play sport again.
The DPI building vaccine hub on Prince Street will be open every day this week from 9am to 4.30pm until Sunday, September 12.
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