The federal government has announced a no fault indemnity scheme allowing GPs to give the AstraZeneca vaccine to any Australian adult if they want it, whereas before only those over 60 were recommended the vaccine.

That followed a meeting of National Cabinet on Monday night that determined all Australian adults could now ask their general practitioner for the AstraZeneca vaccine.

That is despite the independent Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advising that Pfizer is the preferred vaccine for under-60s.

Albury-Wodonga Family Medical Centre's Leon Morgiewicz said the government was confusing the public with changing messages around COVID-19 vaccinations and eligibility.

"The advice is always changing, so we know what we are doing, but the patients are confused," he said.

"It's been going on since the start of the vaccine roll out with the changing goal posts.

"Rudderless is probably a good word."

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Dr Karen Price said on Twitter the federal government gave GP clinics no warning of the changed eligibility.

"Phones are ringing off the hook at GP clinics," she wrote.

"We had no warning of last night's announcements and this isn't the first time this has happened to general practice.

"It's vital that government provides significant support to GPs to implement these changes to the vaccine rollout."

Dr Morgiewicz said so far his clinic had not been overun with people under 40 jumping at the opportunity to book their vaccination.

He said the "miniscule" risk of blood clots from AstraZeneca had been hyped up in the media scaring people from getting the vaccine.

"There's not much interest in anyone wanting it because of all the confusion around it and the clotting issues that have scared people off," he said.

"I think because we haven't seen the death toll like we have in the US or Brazil or the UK, and people think 'ah, yes, other peoples problems, it's not for me'."

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Dr Morgiewicz said anyone over 18 who wanted to get AstraZeneca should approach their GP.

"Go and get one, if you were happy to have AstraZeneca with the changing guidelines as announced by Scott Morrison, I would say go get it," he said.

The sentiment was echoed by Murrumbidgee Local Health District Director of Public Health Tracy Oakman.

"If you're eligible I encourage you to get vaccinated," she said.

She said people under 40 shouldn't worry about prioritising their own vaccination ahead of more at-risk members of the community.

"GPs can prioritise their clientele as they see fit," she said.

"If anybody wants the vaccine I encourage you to please pick up the phone and ring in, because you never know the circumstances and there may be a gap and you can get in to see a doctor.

"So please if you're keen get vaccinated, and I hope everyone is, please make your appointment as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, the president of the Australian Medical Association Dr Omar Khorshid said he did not endorse the new eligibility for the AstraZeneca vaccine and that Scott Morrison's announcement took him by surprise.

"Our recommendation is still really for patients to follow the ATAGI advice," he said.

"Be patient and have the ATAGI-recommended vaccine when it's available.

"I am certainly still backing the expert advice at this stage."

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