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More Victorians under 50 to get Pfizer COVID vaccine, as state records no new cases

A nurse receiving one of the first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines at Austin Health in February.

A nurse receiving one of the first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines at Austin Health in February. Photo: ABC News via Mark Stewart/Herald Sun

The Victorian government is expanding its COVID-19 vaccination program to enable eligible Victorians aged under 50 access to the Pfizer jab.

Meanwhile, Victoria has recorded no new cases of COVID-19 days after a Melbourne man contracted the virus in hotel quarantine in South Australia.

The fresh figure was announced on Friday morning and means the state has recorded 77 days without a new locally acquired case.

Almost 22,000 test results were returned during the past 24 hours.

Under the expanded vaccine program, the Victorian government says an extra 400,000 Victorians will be eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine from next week.

Frontline workers, disability service workers and carers aged under 50 can start getting the jab from Monday, May 17.

People eligible under the expanded program also include those with underlying health conditions, defence force members and seafood and meat processing workers.

Public-facing transport workers, including taxi drivers and rideshare drivers will be able to get the vaccine from Monday, May 24.

Disability, Ageing and Carers Minister Luke Donnellan said people must book online for the Pfizer vaccines, which will be offered at certain state vaccination hubs.

He said it was important to ensure the right amount of vaccine is allocated and no doses are wasted.

“The reason for the bookings is to ensure that each of the hubs is certain of what’s coming each day so they can ensure they have the right amount of the vaccine available,” he said.

Mr Donnellan said part of the program was aimed at ensuring that those working in disability and aged care sectors were able to access the vaccine.

A vaccine hub opening at the Melbourne Showgrounds on Monday, May 17, to be managed by Western Health, is among a number of additional vaccination centres to be opened up across the state.

-ABC

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