Given the demographic of the Bega Valley there is usually a strong uptake of the flu vaccine each year, particularly by over 65s but this year demand is even stronger due to COVID-19.

The flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19 but it may help to lower diagnostic uncertainty and take pressure off health systems.

At Tura Beach Medical Clinic receptionists are taking names to put on a list. Callers on Thursday, April 2 were told they are likely to be contacted in about a week.

Sapphire Clinic Merimbula said supplies had been ordered and they were getting the vaccine in mid to late April. Merimbula Medical Centre said they would have it by mid April and Curalo Clinic, Eden said mid to late April.

At Merimbula's Amcal Pharmacy Linda Badewitz-Dodd said they had received one early supply of the vaccine which had been given to "well over 200 people".

"We were told on March 30 that the next delivery would be one to two weeks. So call us back next week," Ms Badewitz-Dodd said.

The two adult vaccines available contain the same four strains of flu virus but the Fluad Quad version for people aged 65 years and over and other at risk groups, is a vaccine that is specifically designed to produce a higher immune response.

Fluad Quad is only available through GPs.

Ms Badewitz-Dodd said the pharmacy would give priority to front line health workers and emergency services staff.

NSW Health has said that deliveries of government-funded influenza vaccines commenced on March 30.

"It can take around three weeks for the State Vaccine Centre to send out all first influenza vaccine orders from the system due to the large volume of orders received," NSW Health said.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia's Greg Turnbull said they had seen a heightened demand for flu shots as Australians started to get the message.

"If you're going to try to resist or survive COVID-19, it's better that you are fit and not suffering from influenza at the same time."