The Therapeutic Goods Administration on Wednesday gave provisional approval for Australians aged 18 and over to receive a top-up dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

The TGA recommended the booster shot be given at least six months after a person's second dose.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation will provide further advice on boosters to the federal government in the coming weeks.

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Rural Doctors Association of Victoria president Dr Rob Phair welcomed the announcement.

"There is increasing evidence that immunity wanes after six months so it is important that boosters will be part of the regular follow up," he said.

"We need to prioritise the most at risk, so the disability and aged care sectors first. Beyond that, we need to make sure the boosters go to healthcare workers.

"Ultimately by next year, the booster program will be rolled out to the general population but it will be a simpler process than before.

"So when you're due for your booster, you will get a text and you can go in."

COVID commander Jeroen Weimar said Victorian authorities were keen to start the booster program.

"We are obviously ready just to assist and support that roll-out across Victoria and in fact across Australia," he said.

"The vast majority of people are well under the six months since the second dose so this is not an immediate thing for the vast majority of us.

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"But there are 69,000 Victorians that we are aware of where it has been more than six months since their second dose."

Dr Phair said there should still be a focus on ensuring the remaining unvaccinated population goes and gets their first dose.

"It makes a huge difference going into the summer," he said. "We already have health services under stress but it means that it's less likely that hospitals will be overrun.

"There is still a risk associated with opening up to Melbourne and people moving around more.

"We're more likely to have outbreaks and there will be regions that will need to adapt to having COVID in their communities."

Dr Phair said people who were still hesitant about the COVID-19 vaccines should speak to a trusted healthcare professional.

"The community knows they are safe," he said. "The number of cases of serious adverse reactions has been minimal. People have had some mild side effects, but they have overwhelmingly only been mild."

Dr Phair also reminded people to maintain COVID-safe protocols as the regions open up.

"Get tested if you have symptoms," he said. "We still need that information to see how much COVID-19 is in the community.

"Keep up those basic rituals that you have been doing for the past 18 months."

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