The first batches of the vaccine are expected to arrive in late February, followed by the Astra Zeneca vaccine weeks later.

UFS chief executive Lynne McLennan said she was unsure when the vaccines would arrive in Ballarat but GPs and pharmacists would be ready to begin the local roll-out as soon as vaccines become available.

"Our respiratory clinic testing facility has been asked from the Commonwealth if we are happy to roll out the vaccine program and we would," Ms McLennan said.

"We are still waiting for further advice from the Commonwealth Government about the roll-out through the GP respiratory clinic ... and we anticipate in later stages of the rollout our vaccine pharmacists will be part of the program," she said.

The Pfizer vaccine, which must be kept at -70C, is likely to be delivered only at hospitals, clinics, residential aged care and disability care facilities, and involves patients receiving two doses given three weeks apart.

Over the weekend, the Federal Department of Health issued an expression of interest form for GPs who are interesting in taking part in the mass vaccination program.

Much of Australia though is likely to get the Astra Zeneca vaccination which is likely to be available more broadly, including at pharmacies.

Priority groups such as aged care and disability residents and workers, frontline healthcare workers and quarantine and border workers will be among the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

The National Rural Health Alliance urged Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt to ensure vulnerable people in rural, regional and remote areas were also prioritised.

"People in rural, regional and remote communities experience poorer health outcomes than those in major cities, which puts them in a higher risk category for serious health complications associated with COVID-19," said Alliance chief executive Gabrielle O'Kane.

"It is also much harder to access health services in country areas because we have the situation of persistent inadequate staffing and lack of availability to essential medical and health services in rural, regional and remote areas of Australia."

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Swinburne University dean of the school of health sciences Professor Bruce Thompson welcomed te TGA approval of the Pfizer vaccine.

"Each vaccine will have subtle differences, and it will be important that the appropriate vaccine is targeted to the correct population group. Furthermore having multiple vaccines from differing companies helps with keeping a consistent supply chain."

The Australian government has ordered 10 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, enough to vaccinate five million people.