Of the number of pharmacies who replied to RAT inquiries by the Examiner this week, not a single store had the COVID testing kits available, nor were they aware when they might get their next batch.

As for child vaccines, which became available on Monday for the first time for five to 11 year olds, it remains unclear how prevalent they are in the Port Stephens community.

Dr Sarah Bayley, from the Raymond Terrace Family Practice, said on Monday that they had limited supply of child vaccines and were working out their processes so that they could open to online bookings.

"The childhood delivery is quite complex to run alongside mass adult delivery of boosters," Dr Bayley said.

"We are encouraging everyone to book with their regular GP as kids usually have childhood vaccinations with them.

"At present we are not open to general public for child vaccines but will announce on our Facebook and website when we have general bookings. We only have appointments for all vaccinations and assessments, sorry no walk-ins."

Nelson Bay Plaza Clinic's Dr Alex Richardson said that they receive 100 doses per fortnight of Pfizer vaccine for children.

"There are huge supply issues. We would love to be in a position to offer one to all those who want a vaccine, especially before schools reopen. We have been requesting an increase of at least 600 doses per week but they have so far declined. We will continue to push for more doses," he said.

"Our current supply is booked out but we encourage parents to check on hotdoc.com as additional appoints may be made available in the next couple of weeks."

Shoal Bay pharmacist Jamie Pisani said that his pharmacy would not be vaccinating children.

"I don't know many pharmacies that actually are [vaccinating children] to be honest. We have lots of staff off at the moment with isolation due to COVID, so we just don't have the capacity to run a vaccine service."

The Hunter New-England Health department has advised Port Stephens families to book appointments online via covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/booking or call 1800 571 155. In regard to the RATs, Mr Pisani said that they were hoping for a new batch of test kits next week.

"Stock had been coming in dribs and drabs but we don't have any available at the moment," he said.

Mark Shaw, pharmacist from the Nelson Bay Discount Drug store in Donald Street, said they had been out of stock of the RATs since mid-December and they had not been given any indication when the next supply would arrive.

He believed the government's indecision and mixed messaging were partly to blame for the shortage.

"We had been receiving a couple of dozen boxes a day until about 10 days before Christmas, about the same time the government announced they would be free for sections of the community," Mr Shaw said.

"Our phones have been running hot with people inquiring about their availability and it is very frustrating for the public and our staff when we have to tell the public that we are out of stock."

Terry White Chemmart stores in both Raymond Terrace and Nelson Bay said that the staff would love to have some clarity over the rapid tests.

"However, we don't know when we are going to receive any stock," said Raymond Terrace's Rachel Mulley.

Pharmacist Alice Smith, from Nelson Bay, added: "We don't have any [in stock] and have no idea when we will."

Meanwhile, the number of people testing positive to COVID-19 in Port Stephens has begun to decline following a steep rise late last week.

On Wednesday, Port Stephens recorded 345 new positive cases, another 170 on Thursday and a record breaking 418 on Friday. Cases fell to 208 on Saturday, 67 on Sunday and 131 up to 8pm on Monday.

A Hunter-New England Health spokesperson has urged Port Stephens residents who are yet to receive their vaccination to do so and book in for a booster as soon as they are eligible.

"Booking an appointment is the best way to guarantee a vaccination or booster shot."

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