Regional health minister Mark Coulton says vaccine 'one of the tools we use'

He would welcome the rollout of an approved vaccine but believes "it's not going to be a silver bullet".

The federal government is promising free vaccines for Australians should a promising trial prove successful.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison reports of being "hopeful but also naturally cautious" a drug being tested at Oxford University will be safe and effective.

The goverment is suggesting it could be rolled out early next year.

It wants at least two-thirds of all Australians to be vaccinated.

"You have to do it for yourself, your family and for your fellow Australians," Mr Morrison said.

At his Dubbo office on Thursday, Mr Coulton explained why he thinks an approved vaccine will not be an instant panacea.

"I'm optimistic but look I think I'm also a little cautious because what we have seen with COVID-19 is that we have had the lowest cold and flu season forever," he said.

"So it goes to show that basic hygiene precautions, social distancing, sanitisation of hands is probably an effective a way as any of managing that.

"If we get a vaccine, that will be wonderful, but I still think it's not going to be a silver bullet."

Mr Coulton said the vaccine would be "one of the tools we use."

"I think the idea that one day soon we'll get a vaccine and we'll all go back to being normal is probably a little optimistic," he said.

"I think we are going to be dealing with coronavirus for a little bit longer yet."

The Oxford trial is being run in conjunction with British drug company AstraZeneca.

"We are not putting everything in the AstraZeneca basket but it is one of the most advanced and the most likely, based on the expert advice we have," Mr Morrison said.