Pfizer is now the preferred vaccine for people aged under 60 in Australia.
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Health Minister Greg Hunt announced the significant change after receiving new advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.
Previously, AstraZeneca was the preferred vaccine for anyone aged over 50, but Mr Hunt on Thursday said the Pfizer vaccine would be available immediately to people aged 50 to 59.
The move comes after a 52-year-old NSW woman died after developing a rare blood clot associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
NSW health authorities are desperately trying to find the source of a growing COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
A Bondi man in his 60s and his wife tested positive to coronavirus on Wednesday night.
The man is a limousine driver and transports international flight crews.
The source of his infection is unknown, but he has the highly contagious Delta variant.
A woman in her 70s is the third person connected to the outbreak. She tested positive after visiting an exposure site.
A weekly support payment will be available to Victorians in storm-ravaged areas who are facing another three weeks without power.
About 7000 households remain without power a week after the wild weather, with the worst-affected suburbs expected to be off the grid until July 10.
Acting Premier James Merlino announced a weekly payment of up to $1680 would be available to help families buy the basics and find alternative accommodation.
"I've lived in this region my whole life. I've never seen the extent of the damage here in the Dandenong Ranges," Mr Merlino said.
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