THE West Tamar Council has been forced to indefinitely suspended its immunisation program as it cannot find a doctor to administer the injections.

The program includes the school clinics for injections against hepatitis B, polio, measles, mumps, rubella and tetanus.

Injections for the meningococcal vaccination introduced by the State Government have also been ruled out.

Teenage children of health care card holders are eligible for free meningococcal vaccines while health care card holders aged between 19 and -- 30 can receive the vaccine at a subsidised cost of $20.

West Tamar Mayor Barry Easther said the council had been forced to use a stop-gap solution since its medical health officer retired at the end of last year.

"We have been getting other doctors to fill in when we can but this has been exhausted and we are unable to find a doctor to fill the void," Councillor Easther said.

He said the council had advertised regularly in newspapers for expressions of interest in the position but had not had one reply.

"We have left no stone unturned in trying to fill the position," he said.

"It just goes to highlight the plight of regional areas in trying to attract doctors."

Cr Easther said the health officer was responsible for conducting the immunisation program in the district, including at eight schools.

A spokeswoman for Opposition health spokeswoman Sue Napier said the State Government should move quickly to overcome the problem.

"We urge the State Government to work with the West Tamar Council urgently to ensure a doctor is found immediately," she said.

"Immunisation is an important process in preventative health."

Tasmanian Health and Human Services Minister David Llewellyn was not available for comment yesterday.