Health Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed all COVID-19 vaccine appointments must be free as the country passes the 400,000 vaccination mark.

Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie told Parliament several pensioners in her South Australian electorate had been charged $70 in out-of-pocket fees from doctors requiring patients to have a “pre-vaccination” appointment.

“Pensioners can’t afford to pay these fees just to get the vaccine. Some risk not being vaccinated at all due to the cost. What can be done to address this issue?” she asked Mr Hunt during question time on Thursday.

Mr Hunt said the specific cases raised by Ms Sharkie’s office were being followed up by the Department of Health as no doctors should be charging for any vaccine-related consultations.

“There are three principles to the Australian vaccination program. Firstly, that it is free, secondly, that it is voluntary, and thirdly that it is universally available, with enough vaccine for every Australian three times over,” he said.

“Charging a patient any cost associated with the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, including booking fees, is a breach of the requirements under the program.”

Other doctors might charge patients over the course of the rollout and those instances would also be investigated, Mr Hunt said, but he expected most GPs would continue to do the right thing.

“They are doing an extraordinary job and what we have seen this week is a rapid escalation in the number of doses as the general practice phase one of the program has begun,” Mr Hunt said.