At least 580 people were vaccinated in Victoria on Monday as the nation’s biggest immunisation program got under way, but the Premier wasn’t one of them.When asked on Tuesday when the state should expect him to receive the jab, he told reporters that he was very much focused on frontline workers and vulnerable Victorians getting it first.“As a result of my age and as a result of the fact I don’t have a whole lot of underlying health conditions, there are people that are far more needy than me, and they should be getting the jab before I do,” Mr Andrews said.But the Premier stressed that he would be getting vaccinated, as would his wife Catherine, their kids and his mum because “it works”.“It shouldn’t be in any way interpreted as a lack of confidence, far from it, I am more than confident that the world scientists have worked so hard,” he said.“It’s our way out of this (pandemic).“When I do get it, probably from my local pharmacist or GP, I’ll be sure to send a photo around so everyone is in no doubt that I have had it done.”Victoria’s Health Minister Martin Foley has also indicated that he’ll be waiting his turn in the queue to get the jab.Prime Minister Scott Morrison and federal Health Minister Greg Hunt were among the first Australians vaccinated on Sunday in a show of strength to the nation that the vaccine was here and it was safe.The first Australian to get vaccinated is now famous in her homeland.South Australian Premier Steven Marshall also received the vaccine on Monday.Mr Andrews said Victorians should be proud that one of the approved vaccines – the AstraZeneca jab – would be manufactured in Melbourne.It comes as the Premier said Victoria was “well placed” to significantly ease restrictions on Friday when the last of the close contacts associated from the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport cluster are cleared from their 14-day isolation.Mr Andrews said the restrictions would likely return to COVID-safe summer settings, which would mean the easing of outdoor mask rules and more visitors allowed to private homes.Victoria recorded no new coronavirus cases on Tuesday.jack.paynter@news.com.au
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