As the country faces its latest outbreak of the virus, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that people aged under 60 can now request AstraZeneca from their GP, who will be protected through a no-fault indemnity scheme.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation deemed the Pfizer vaccine as preferable for Australians under 50 in April, due to a minor risk of blood clotting. In June, the recommendation was revised and Pfizer was named the preferred jab for those under 60-years-old.

Finley GP Dr Alam Yoosuf believes the government "should have done this long before," and that the changing advice around AstraZeneca has made "a messy communication even messier."

"We need to be really clear with our messaging," he said.

"We need to make people feel safe, that they are getting the best out of this.

"If people feel that AstraZeneca is a second rate vaccine, and they're having it because they're ineligible or they can't get (Pfizer), that is going to fuel hesitancy."

Dr Yoosuf's clinic receives 200 doses of AstraZeneca to administer per week. He feels entirely confident in the vaccine and said he would be happy to provide it to any patient wanting the jab.

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"From the beginning when the vaccines came out in the US, my understanding is the best vaccine is the first vaccine in your arm," he said.

Less than five per cent of Australia's population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Dr Yoosuf has called on the government to develop a strong vaccination campaign with a rural focus, that will get the vaccine's "closer to the people."

Wagga GP Dr Ayman Shenouda, who runs the mass vaccination hub at Glenrock Country Practice, said that Monday night's announcement was good news.

By Tuesday afternoon, he had already administered a number of AstraZeneca doses to young people at the hub.

"The AstraZeneca vaccine is the main vaccine for more than 40 countries around the world, and it's a very safe vaccine to have," he said, acknowledging "hesitancy about AstraZeneca in the community."

Dr Shenouda said that the Prime Minister's announcement has provided an opportunity for people to meet with their GP and have a conversation about their concerns, answer any questions they have, and address any misinformation from a scientific point of view.

He also assured that Australia has an ample supply of AstraZeneca, as it is manufactured in Melbourne.

Member for Wagga Dr Joe McGirr, who has a background in medicine and health, said that recent events have demonstrated that the pandemic is still "very much a major issue for our community."

"It is vitally important that as many people as possible are vaccinated against COVID-19," he said.

"Broadening the criteria to make more people eligible for vaccination could well provide a boost to Australia's vaccination rate. This will further protect us and reduce the need for further lockdowns in the future."

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