As the state of Victoria tries to grapple with its sixth lockdown since the beginning of the pandemic, Daniel Andrews announced Victorians aged 18 to 39 will be able to access the AstraZeneca vaccine from selected mass vaccination centres as of tomorrow, Monday.

Meanwhile, the state recorded another 11 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, all of which were in the community while infectious, according to health officials.

However, all of the cases are linked to previously reported cases out of 38,179 test results processed on Saturday.

At the same time, the number of exposure sites in Victoria has risen to 150, with dozens of supermarkets and shops added.

Moreover, from Monday, children aged 12 to 15 with medical conditions that put them at increased risk of severe COVID-19 will also become eligible to get the Pfizer vaccine at state-run clinics, while the country’s first drive-through vaccination hub will be set up at a former Bunnings Warehouse site in Melton.

“There is a lot written and a lot said about people being hesitant to get the jab,” Mr Andrews said adding that “That’s not the experience that I’m seeing, it is not what I’m picking up on.

“I think there are many millions of Victorians … who want to get vaccinated, they want to get vaccinated quickly because they know it’s good for them, for their family and for every family, and it is critical to us being open and staying open,” the Premier added.

“They’ll be able to go online, book an appointment … they’ll then have a conversation upon arrival with a doctor,”

“The doctor will take them through the risks, take them through all the different issues that they need to consider. If they then make an informed decision and provide consent, they will receive the AstraZeneca first dose and then some 12 weeks later they’ll receive the second dose.”

On a similar note, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said he continued to hear stories from people who had received the vaccine and felt relieved and protected.

“If I were 25, I would get AstraZeneca. I’m in that category, having received two doses of AstraZeneca.”

“It’s a very effective vaccine,” he stressed.

“More than 92 per cent protection from hospitalisation, 60-plus per cent protection from symptomatic illness, and therefore, risk to transmission of others.”

Regarding the anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne following the new lockdown announcement, 15 people were arrested overnight as Victoria Police confirmed action has been taken against 31 people in total who protested against Victoria’s sixth lockdown, with charges expected to be laid later today.

Finally, a new campaign by the City of Melbourne was announce earlier today by Lord Mayor Sally Capp.

The council has agreed to launch a vaccination incentive scheme set to offer daily prizes from a pool of vouchers worth around $100,000 as of 16 August 2021.

“I want Melbourne to be the most vaccinated city in Australia because it is the only pathway to confidence,” Mayor Capp said.

AstraZeneca will be offered at the following nine centres for those eligible:

Royal Exhibition Building
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Melbourne Showgrounds
Sandown Racecourse
Bayside Shopping Centre, Frankston
Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre, South Morang
Former Ford Factory, Geelong
Kilmore District Health (outpatients building)
Mansfield District Hospital (Anderson Hall)

*Those aged 18 to 39 will continue to be able to access the AstraZeneca vaccine from participating GP clinics as well.