NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian this week announced that the specific type of vaccine would be used to help get year 12 students back to in-person schooling.

"I want to thank in advance regional NSW, where we will take some Pfizer vaccines (from), given the changing advice around AstraZeneca and make sure ... those year 12 students are provided vaccination," she said.

"People with the vaccine are staying out of hospital, and they're spreading it less than others ... please get vaccinated."

Dr McGirr said he was seeking additional information from the government about the vaccine decision.

"The priority has to be keeping the virus out of regional NSW. The question is: how do we do that?" Dr McGirr said.

"As I have already said, we need as tough a lockdown in Sydney as we can get. Unfortunately, this has got away from us. The government is responding and has announced further restrictions.

"As part of that, eight local government areas will go into a pretty severe lockdown for the good of all of us, and I think it's not inappropriate for us to help them a little bit."

Dr McGirr said one of the issues for lockdown areas was students studying for the HSC.

"Clearly the kids is those areas could be disadvantaged by not being able to go to school," Dr McGirr said.

"If the Pfizer enables them to [go to school for year 12] and supports those communities and helps them maintain the lockdown, then not only are we doing the right thing but we are also looking after regional NSW.

"I think, on balance, it's a sensible thing to do."

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has determined that the Pfizer vaccine is the best current option to protect younger people from coronavirus but those aged over 18 should consider the AstraZeneca vaccine when faced with the risk of infection.

Shooters Fishers and Farmers Murray MP Helen Dalton has slammed the decision, claiming it devalued rural people and will not stop the virus spreading to regional NSW.

"This sends the message that rural lives are not as important as those of their Sydney counterparts," Mrs Dalton said

"We already have regional NSW residents waiting several months for their vaccine appointment. this decision will cause further delays and frustrations."

Mrs Dalton said a harder lockdown that stopped people leaving Sydney for the regions would be more effective than moving vaccines.

In other news

In response to questions about any potential impact on the NSW government vaccine hub in Wagga, Murrumbidgee Local Health District said it could not add anything to NSW Health's previous statement.

NSW Health has said up to 40,000 Pfizer doses would be re-allocated from NSW Health's rural and regional supply in a way to "ensure no one area is impacted".

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network acting chief executive Julie Redway said participating GP and federal hubs were continuing to take bookings for both Pfizer and AstraZeneca and that unvaccinated people were encouraged to check their eligibility and make a booking as soon as possible.

"MPHN would like to confirm none of the Murrumbidgee region general practices participating in the vaccination rollout, or any of the Commonwealth vaccination hubs at Wagga, Griffith, Deniliquin, Gundagai or Young have been impacted," she said.

Wagga-based Nationals MLC Wes Fang said he supported the decision.

"It's right that we provide all year 12s equity in sitting their exams and being able to put their best foot forward, because it could affect the rest of their careers," he said.

"We are doing what we can to minimise transmission in order to protect regional communities."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: