Hunter New England (HNE) Health authorities are continuing to urge residents to come forward for vaccinations as 38 cases were announced in the HNE region today.

The cases include one identified in the Muswellbrook local government area, however this case is a household contact of three cases identified earlier in the week and a spokesperson for HNE Health said there is minimal risk to the community.

The Moderna (Spikevax) jab is the third COVID vaccine to be deployed by Australian health authorities, receiving approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on September 3 for individuals aged 12 years and older.

The vaccine will be manufactured in Australia and offered to those aged between 12 and 59, with the AstraZeneca vaccine remaining the preferred option for those 60 and over.

State member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell said only a third of vaccinating pharmacies are in the first two groups to receive shipments of Moderna, with the second and third groups of to receive stock in the following two weeks.

Pharmacies will initially be allocated 100 Moderna vaccine doses per week, however Mr Layzell said supplies would ramp up quickly.

Mr Layzell said the following pharmacies located in the Upper Hunter electorate would be participating in the Moderna rollout:

DENMAN

DUNGOG

GLOUCESTER

MERRIWA

MUSWELLBROOK

PATERSON

QUIRINDI

SCONE

SINGLETON