Patients of under-pressure medical practices could suffer if GPs start vaccinating against Covid-19, a health board claims.
However, the local primary health organisation disagrees and says vaccines are an extension of the immunisation services already provided.
The Lakes District Health Board is behind its planned vaccination target by more than 4000 doses, the latest Ministry of Health data shows.
Lakes DHB is taking a "concentrated approach" to the vaccine rollout, meaning vaccines are administered at hubs.
Longer wait times at the doctors could be a reality if GPs start vaccinating against Covid-19, the Lakes DHB says.
There is an immunisation hub in both Rotorua and Taupō servicing an estimated population of 116,370. One GP in Turangi vaccinates.
Other health boards are using a "mixed model approach" meaning general practices are also vaccinating.
It comes as the Lakes area is feeling the effects of a general practitioner shortage that is "reaching crisis point" around the country with practices keeping their books shut tight to new patients, the Rotorua Daily Post has previously reported.
A Lakes DHB spokeswoman said the pressure already facing GPs was part of its decision to not take a mixed model approach.
Immunisation hubs had the capacity to deliver the vaccine to the population by the end of the year, she said.
"GPs in our district are incredibly busy with demand and adding further functions such as Covid-19 vaccination could in some instances result in longer wait times for patients wanting to see their GP."
The health board was working with general practices in the district to see if they reach Ministry of Health requirements, the spokeswoman said.
"Lakes DHB made the decision at the start of the proposed vaccine rollout to run a concentrated approach, knowing that vaccine supplies would be limited.
"Our work over the past nine to 10 months has enabled a good understanding of the processes, and now that we have more certainty around vaccine supply, we are moving to having other providers being able to deliver the Covid-19 vaccinations."
However, Rotorua Area Primary Health Services (RAPHS) chief executive Kirsten Stone said it was in favour of a mixed model approach "consistent with the national approach and success in other areas" and did not believe this would impact GP availability.
She believed delivering vaccinations was a core function of GPs and primarily led by primary health.
"Every year in Rotorua, RAPHS practice nurses deliver tens of thousands of vaccinations to protect our community including childhood vaccinations, HPV, seasonal influenza vaccination, and adult booster shots for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.
"Covid vaccination is a natural extension of this activity.
"There are a number of practices in Rotorua interested in participating in the Covid vaccination programme."
Royal College of General Practitioners medical director Dr Bryan Betty said a mixed model approach was the best method.
Betty said Lakes was one of few health boards across the country to opt for a concentrated approach.
"My opinion, at the end of the day, is we are best off with a mixed model, that is vaccination hubs, plus, general practice, also vaccinating and focusing on their practice populations.
"The more points of access we have to vaccination across the country, the more successful the vaccine programme will be."
Anecdotal evidence showed people were more comfortable having their vaccine at their general practice, Betty said.
In the week ending August 29, Ministry of Health figures showed the Lakes DHB had administered 76,471 vaccine doses — it had hoped to deliver 80,679 by that time.
Three Lakes medical Centre general practitioner Cate Mills said she was happy to help with vaccination rollout, if called upon.
"It would be lovely to offer vaccinations but appreciate there is a lot of training that goes into that as well."
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners has backed calls for Māori and Pasifika whānau to be prioritised in the vaccine rollout.
College president Dr Samantha Murton said data proved Māori and Pacific populations had greater health needs and ensuring they were vaccinated was not just a practical idea.
"It is a fundamental equity issue to vaccinate these communities now because the effects of Covid-19 for them will be more damaging than other groups.
"Ensuring our most vulnerable groups are vaccinated and able to have a chance at fighting Covid-19 will also mean we're preventing the possible overwhelm of the health system."
A drive-through vaccination clinic, led by Māori health providers, was established this week as outreach clinics at marae were not possible in the higher alert levels.
The clinic is a by Māori, for Māori partnership set up by Korowai Aroha, Te Runanga o Ngati Pikiao, Western Heights Health Centre, Manaaki Ora, Te Roopu Hauora o Te Arawa, te Arawa Whānau Ora and Te Arawa Covid Hub, supported by Lakes DHB, Rotorua Lakes Council and Civil Defence, Foodstuffs and numerous other groups and organisations.
A total of 319 vaccinations were administered on the clinic's first day this week. A total of 84 per cent of those were Māori.
Another 288 doses were given on Thursday.
Te Runanga o Ngāti Pikiao GP and member of Te Roopu Hauora o Te Arawa Dr Grace Malcolm said the purpose of the drive-through clinic was to increase the number of vaccinations for Māori and other vulnerable members of the community – as soon as possible.
"We understand it's not always easy for our most vulnerable whānau to access the Covid-19 vaccine through conventional channels. This clinic is a way to bridge that gap and ensure the vaccine is accessible to everyone.
"The community and marae-based outreach clinics have proven hugely successful, but these are not possible in level 4 or level 3. We need to significantly increase the number of Māori who are vaccinated and the drive-through clinic makes it safe and easy for them to do so."
Malcolm said the response had been overwhelming.
"It's just outstanding and reinforces exactly why we established this drive-through clinic - to protect our most vulnerable communities and strive to give everyone an equal chance of getting through this pandemic."
The drive-through model was an efficient way to vaccinate as many people as possible, Malcolm believed. It was also the safest way to keep people in their bubbles with the current alert level in place.
"Everyone in our team is truly committed to helping each other and it's resulted in a comfortable and friendly whānau environment that people are loving."
A Lakes DHB spokeswoman said from the outset the health board planned its vaccination programme to reach groups with special requirements and has provided outreach services to aged residential care, Pasifika people, disability residential care and to a number of larger businesses.
"We are working in partnership with iwi to develop a marae-based outreach service, whereby Lakes DHB vaccinators provide services at a range of iwi-organised venues.
"Most of these are marae, but not always, it depends on the best venue to meet the needs of the community."
Fifteen marae outreach vaccination programmes have been delivered and a further 11 are planned before mid-September.
When: Today from 10am to 2pm
Where: 33 Clayton Rd, old Foodstuffs Warehouse
Bookings essential. Book online at Te Arawa Covid-19 website or by free phone 0508 TE ARAWA.
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