Alice Springs residents urged to get coronavirus vaccinations ahead of influx of tourists

The Northern Territory Department of Health is calling for Alice Springs residents over the age of 16 to roll-up their sleeves to get a coronavirus vaccine.

The early rollout comes as the town prepares for an influx of interstate tourists for events including the Finke Desert Race, one of Australia's largest off-road races.

The event, which will be held over the Queen's Birthday long weekend, could see more than 7,000 interstate visitors in the region.

Pandemic Cell Central Australia's acting general manager Debra Gray said a number of factors influenced the department's decision to rollout the vaccines early from May 15.

"One of those [factors] was acknowledging that Alice Springs is classed as what's called a monitored modified six remote community," she said.

Ms Gray said that meant the town was very remote with a large Indigenous population.

Sleeves up

Ms Gray said there were benefits to being a smaller community.

"I think that the phasings [are] absolutely important for the larger cities and towns where you've got lots of people to sort of prioritise," she said.

"But for a smaller community, I think it's just about trying to keep the community safer."

Ms Gray said there was enough vaccine for 260 doses per day in Alice Springs.

Ms Gray said the current weekly order is about 2,230 doses, which include both AstraZeneca and Pfizer.

Over the weekend, Ms Gray and her colleagues circulated a Department of Health community letter explaining to residents how they could be vaccinated.

"Some people went to church groups, we got them to take some flyers. 

"I went down to netball, one of the ladies went to softball, another lady went down to the AFL just based on a normal weekend activity," she said.