Millions more NSW residents will soon be able to seek their third COVID-19 shot with the eligibility for booster shots at state vaccination hubs to be shortened from four months to three months from Friday 21 January however the change will not apply to GP or pharmacy vaccinations until the end of the month.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the expansion of the eligibility criteria at a press conference today (19 January) which will apply to the government's 40 COVID-19 vaccination hubs across the state.

Mr Perrottet said the hubs currently have capacity for approximately 250,000 vaccinations every week.

"Today's decision will enable over three and a half million more people from our state to be eligible for that booster shot," Mr Perrottet said.

"As we are clearly seeing, boosters are key to keeping yourself, your friends and your family safe.

"I would like to encourage everyone who is eligible to get that booster shot."

The announcement comes as the state recorded 32,297 new cases of COVID-19 across NSW and a further 32 deaths linked to the virus overnight.

On a local front, there were 451 new cases identified by PCR testing in the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) up to 8pm last night. 31 cases are in hospital, two of which are in intensive care.

Of these, there were two from the Bogan shire, three in Bourke, one in Brewarrina, two in Cobar, 11 in Coonamble, 10 in Narromine, 19 in Walgett, 11 in Warren and 15 in the Warrumbungle shire.

Despite NSW already recording record daily numbers, Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant has warned the number of cases may increase further still as we approach winter and urged residents to prepare.

"The future is difficult to predict, but I think those scenarios of an upswing in cases prior to winter is something we have to plan for and talk to the community about," Dr Chant said.

"2022 is going to be a time where we're going to have those fantastic tools of additional vaccines."

The WNSWLHD has also warned there are likely undiagnosed cases in regional communities, urging everyone to maintain COVIDSafe measures just in case, including mask wearing indoors, good hygiene and social distancing.

It is understood the eligibility shift from four months to three months will also apply to GPs and pharmacies distributing vaccines from 31 January 2022 to come into line with new federal government guidelines.