Victoria has recorded 535 new Covid-19 cases and one death amid hopes the state could end lockdown as soon as Melbourne Cup day if the wait time between Pfizer doses is halved.
Former World Health Organisation epidemiologist Professor Adrian Esterman said it was time to revise the window period between receiving both doses of the vaccine.
The waiting period could be cut down from six to three weeks and ultimately fast track the state to reach its 80 per cent vaccination target by November 2.
At its current pace, Victoria is expected to reach the milestone by November 19.
'Now is absolutely the time to revise those wait times and get more people fully protected,' professor Esterman said.
The promise of reopening comes despite case numbers continuing to climb. The new cases announced on Saturday add to the 510 reported on Friday. Only 62 have been linked to known outbreaks.
Victoria could be lifted out of lockdown as early as Melbourne Cup Day if the state halves the time between doses of the Pfizer vaccine
The waiting period between both Pfizer doses could be cut down from six to three weeks and ultimately fast track the state to reach its 80 per cent vaccination target by November 2
There were 45,537 vaccines administered and 61,622 tests conducted in the last 24 hours.
Residents can already get the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine within three weeks by visiting their GPs. However, state vaccination hubs still have a waiting period of six seeks.
Melbourne University's School of Population and Global Health criticised the different wait times.
'To me it is bananas that you have different programs where there's no consistency,' she said.
The state government is planning to outline a full roadmap out of lockdown on Sunday, tied to double dose vaccination rates and based on Burnet Institute modelling.
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation says it's critical Victoria doesn't open up too hastily, as hospitals brace for a wave of Covid-19 patients in coming weeks.
'It's not about getting on the beers too early because there won't be beers to be had whilst you're in hospital in an ICU bed,' ANMF Victorian branch secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick said.
More than 100,000 doctors, nurses, paramedics and other health workers issued a joint plea through their unions for 'accurate modelling' on expected ambulance demand, hospitalisations, intensive care patients and deaths.
Health Minister Martin Foley said these workers had 'shared their concerns very
