Prime Minister Scott Morrison to make coronavirus vaccine as 'mandatory as possible'

Scott Morrison announced a deal with UK-based pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, stating that Australians would be among the first to have access to a COVID-19 vaccine, on Wednesday morning.

He said the government would work to spread the vaccine as widely as possible, and medical grounds should be the only reason for exemption.

"What is important to understand with any of these vaccines is it does protect you, but it also protects the community and, as is the case with any vaccine, there will be some individuals who, for precise medical reasons, can have issues," he said.

"They and their safety and their health depends on the vaccines take-up more broadly in the community.

"That's how they get protected.

"And this is an important part of our vaccine strategy, not just on COVID-19, but more broadly."

Mr Morrison had earlier told 3AW he would seek to make a vaccine as mandatory as possible.

Acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said the vaccine would initially be offered voluntarily.

"I'm sure there will be long queues - socially distanced, of course - for this vaccine," he said.

"It will be incredibly welcomed by many. It will be the absolute ticket to get back to some sort of normal society and the things we all love and enjoy."

Professor Kelly said there would be campaigns to encourage take-up and expected a strong response from the community.

"The first thing we have to have a vaccine that works and is safe."

Trials of a vaccine at Oxford University are expected to continue into early next year, with manufacturing possible next year.