The association has called on Justice Health to reinstate the on-site vaccination rollout, saying another round of workplace vaccinations for prison officers was urgently needed to make sure there isn't mass spread inside any prison.

But when contacted by Australian Community Media, the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network (the Network), which coordinates such work in the prison system, said the first phase of vaccinations had been completed and would be "going back into Correctional Centres again in the coming weeks to provide another round of AstraZeneca vaccinations".

"Any individual within these settings who wishes to be vaccinated will be able to receive their first dose or second dose of AstraZeneca," a spokesperson for the Network said.

"Staff also have the option to attend their GP, pharmacy or public vaccination centre."

The argument over vaccination for officers comes just days after it was revealed a staff member at South Coast Correctional Centre at South Nowra was the subject of contact tracing.

That staff member has since tested negative for COVID-19.

President of the PSA and chair of the Prison Officers Vocational Branch, Nicole Jess said "prison is up there as a super spreading environment."

"Once it gets into the main population you're in real trouble," she said. "But it is preventable - we need jabs in prisons now, it's simple as that."

She said while prison officers who had received their first dose were still able to get the second dose at work, those who had missed out in the first round were now being instructed to go to their GP or through a state-run hub.

However, many prison officers, particularly those in regional NSW including Dubbo and Bathurst, were telling the union they couldn't readily access the vaccine, despite being eligible as part of the phase 1b group.

The union said requests to NSW Health for another round of workplace vaccinations inside the jail had been rebuffed, as doses in regional NSW were now being prioritised for Sydney.

The Network spokesperson said "since early March 2021 it has delivered COVID-19 vaccinations, in line with the Commonwealth Government's roll out priorities, to patients as well as staff within the Network, Corrective Services NSW, and Youth Justice NSW".

"The first phase of vaccinations has been completed," the spokesperson said.

They again reiterated the fact the Network will be "going back into Correctional Centres again in the coming weeks to provide another round of AstraZeneca vaccinations. "

"This is to ensure as many people have the chance to be vaccinated as possible," the spokesperson said.

The union said while ongoing lockdown and rigorous isolation measures had managed to keep the prisons largely free COVID-19 they had also contributed to significant tensions within the inmate population.

"For 20 months prison officers have been working in tense jails, where people really are on a hair trigger. Now the government is thumbing its nose at their efforts, rather than delivering vaccinations to the workplace which would significantly reduce the stress and tension inside NSW's jails," Ms Jess said.

"Prison officers want to be vaccinated, and for the stability of our corrections systems they need to be vaccinated, urgently.

"Effectively the government is telling them they've had their chance and now it's on to them to sort it out. But it was the government's changing advice that caused delays in the first place.

"An ongoing COVID-19 vaccine rollout, throughout the prison system must be a priority - particularly in regional NSW, where prisons are the largest employer."

The Network spokesperson said it was working with partner agencies, had developed robust infection control policies and protocols to stop the spread of infection.

"Vaccination is just one of these tools we are using," the spokesperson said.

"Other aspects include quarantining new arrivals from the general population for 14 days, the use of comprehensive PPE, as well as regular routine screening and testing.

"To date, there have been no cases of transmission within a custodial setting. We thank all Network staff for their continued hard work in keeping our patients safe."