YOUNG people across Bendigo are still opting for the AstraZeneca vaccine as wait times increase for Pfizer.
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It comes as health officials announced the dosage interval for the AstraZeneca vaccine had been reduced from 12 weeks to six weeks, meaning more Victorians will be able to get fully vaccinated quicker.
It will bring the interval in line with the Pfizer vaccine, which is also six weeks.
The changes come as evidence shows a double dose is the highest protection against the Delta COVID-19 variant.
The state's acting chief health officer Professor Ben Cowie said there were more than 50,000 AstraZeneca appointments available for booking in the next two weeks.
"It's about getting as many second doses into people as we possibly can," he said.
He advised those with a first dose of AstraZeneca not to delay until 12 weeks and rebook sooner.
Spring Gully Respiratory Clinic director Ewa Piejko said with the waiting times for Pfizer pushing out to October and November, many young people were taking advantage of the AstraZeneca doses readily available.
"We do have a lot of AstraZeneca available here at the respiratory clinic and also at Bendigo Health," she said.
"The AstraZeneca is a very safe vaccine and the risk is very small and we have people showing up for the vaccine that are under 40 and we are very happy to give it to them.
Dr Piejko said many people were responding to the call to get vaccinated.
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"We probably get six or seven a day getting the AstraZeneca vaccine at our clinic at day, which is really good to see.
"People are saying they want to be vaccinated and safe right away and are booking AstraZeneca "
Dr Piejko reminded residents that if they could not make their appointments, that it's best to let the clinic know in addance.
"If people have made an appointment and they can't make it then can they please let the clinic know because then they can offer the vaccine to someone else," she said.
A Bendigo Health spokesperson said they will continue to offer the AstraZenceca vaccine to the younger cohort if requested.
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