VICS PUSH TO SPEED UP JABS

VICTORIA could be out of lockdown by Melbourne Cup Day by halving the gap between Pfizer jabs at state vaccination hubs.

The move would fast-track the state to 80 per cent fully vaccinated.

Victoria needs an extra 318,000 Pfizer doses each week to meet the target, but a doubling of Pfizer deliveries to Australia this month will provide enough doses.

Currently, people can get a second Pfizer dose after just three weeks with a GP compared with six weeks at state mass vaccination centres.

Epidemiologist Professor Nancy Baxter, of Melbourne University’s School of Population and Global Health, said it was “crazy” that GPs could give Pfizer at three-week gaps while state hubs had a six-week wait.