GPs who are running out of patients willing to be administered the AstraZeneca vaccine can begin vaccinating anyone aged 50 and older from Monday, officials say.

The green light comes as GPs report increased hesitancy among those eligible for the vaccine in phase 1B of the rollout because of its links with thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome.

Officially, practices will be tasked with administering the vaccine to all adults aged 50 and over from 17 May.

But the Federal Health Department says practices can start on phase 2A before then if their patient numbers have already begun to drop off.