Vaccines open to younger Victorians

BUT PLEASE, IF YOU HAVEN’T HAD YOUR VACCINATION YET, JUST BOOK IT IN . . . — DANIEL ANDREWS

Every Victorian aged 16 and over is eligible to access a COVID-19 vaccine at staterun vaccination centres from today.

The expansion of the state vaccine program will help push Victoria towards its goal of one million doses in five weeks.

The change means anyone aged 18 to 59 will be eligible to receive either Pfizer or AstraZeneca, with people aged 16 to 17 able to receive the Pfizer vaccine.

Those aged 60 and over will continue to receive AstraZeneca.

In the next four weeks, more than 830,000 additional appointments for COVID-19 vaccines will be available at more than 55 state-run centres operating across Victoria, including 450,000 first dose appointments for the Pfizer.

‘‘We’ve already delivered more than 230,000 doses towards our one million jabs target, which is a mammoth effort,’’ Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.

‘‘But please, if you haven’t had your vaccination yet, just book it in today to protect yourself and your loved ones.’’

Approximately 1.7 million Victorians aged 16 to 59 have already been vaccinated across general practices, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, community pharmacies and state vaccination centres. The expansion follows the supply of an additional 175,000 doses of Pfizer from the Federal Government, recently received from overseas.

Anyone aged 18 to 39 who has a booking for AstraZeneca from today, who would prefer to receive Pfizer, will not need to cancel or change the booking, you will be offered Pfizer when you arrive for your appointment, unless you would prefer to receive AstraZeneca.

● Victorians must book appointments by visiting coronavirus.vic.gov.au or by phoning the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.