Australians aged 60 and over will be able to access Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines from tomorrow, regardless of where they live. 

Some states had already changed the eligibility criteria, but today's announcement from federal Health Minister Greg Hunt means the same rules apply nationwide. 

Previously, Australians aged 60 and older only had access to AstraZeneca's version of the vaccine, as Pfizer and Moderna supplies were reserved for younger people, due to the rare but heightened risk of side-effects in younger people who received AstaZeneca's jab.

Mr Hunt said the AstraZeneca jab had been a safe and reliable vaccine and the "backbone" of high immunisation rates among older Australians — but enabling people over 60 to get mRNA vaccines will remove any lingering doubts.

"[The AstraZeneca vaccine] is what has allowed us to get to over 94.6 per cent of over 70s who are vaccinated in Australia, and it has saved not just hundreds, but I suspect many more lives," Mr Hunt said.

"Having said that, this is the opportunity for every person over 60 to come forward no matter what previous hesitation they may have had."

Mr Hunt said he understands there may be about 300,000 older Australians who were waiting to be vaccinated due to hesitancy over receiving the AstraZeneca jab.

More than 53 per cent of Australians over 16 are now fully vaccinated against the virus.

Mr Hunt said Australians who are yet to be vaccinated should have confidence in any of the vaccines available to them.

"Any one of them can save your life, and it can save and protect the lives of those around you as well."

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