In a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, he said until September 17, students would get priority booking access.

"My message is: if you are over 18 and you want to keep you and your family safe, don't wait. AstraZeneca is available now. Make a booking to get vaccinated," he said.

He said this would occur to ensure senior students sitting year 12 exams have certainty and are ready for these assessments.

Related: Lockdown expected to end in regional Victoria next week

Students and teachers will be able to book one of these priority appointments from September 6.

The Department of Health and the Department of Education will work directly with schools, and students and parents will receive the advice on how to arrange a booking through their schools.

Students and teachers will need to book an appointment, as walk ups are not available as part of this blitz.

Mr Andrews also said the General Achievement Test, originally rescheduled to September 9 would now be sat on October 5.

As Pfizer appointments opened up for people aged between 16 and 59 on Tuesday, school principals encouraged their senior students to book in for their jabs.

Bendigo Senior Secondary College principal Dale Pearce said students needed to make sure they selected the correct section when booking their appointments.

"I understand we have a large number of students who have booked in for immunisation through the Bendigo Health Mollison Street hub," he said.

"When you do so you are now able to select 'Year 12 student' from the categories list to allow prioritisation of your booking.

More news: 'Modest' easing of restrictions in Victoria expected to be announced tomorrow

"We understand there are some limitations at the moment and some students may be waiting a while to get vaccinated.

"While immunisation is strictly a personal choice for families and the college plays no part in the approval or delivery of vaccinations I reiterate the government's message encouraging our students to make a vaccination booking."

Catherine McAuley College principal Brian Turner said the school would support any student wishing to be vaccinated.

Other stories:

"CMC and Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited (CES Ltd) are committed to supporting the Victorian Government to meet its aim for all final year students to be vaccinated by the time they sit their end-of-year exams," he said in a statement to students and families.

"Final year students are therefore urged to make an appointment as soon as possible to receive a vaccine.

"Final year students are asked to consider getting their first vaccine before the GAT on September 9.

"In addition, it's recommended not to get the vaccine on the day of an exam, or the day before an exam, to avoid feeling common but mild side effects such as tiredness, headache, muscle pain, fever and chills and/or joint pain during the exam."

More news: Changes to the Echuca Line V/Line services in September and October

On August 29, schools received advice from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority regarding the opportunity for students to come on site to complete essential assessments.

Mr Pearce said the school was working to give students in classes such as dance and drama more information about when they can complete these tasks.

"The VCAA has said we are able to have these students on campus for their assessments in early October with some guidelines in place," he said.

"Students will be able to come on site for those assessments at limited times and under a range of conditions including evidence of a negative COVID test."

You can register for the vaccine here.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: