Victoria is widening access to COVID-19 vaccine boosters in the lead up to Christmas to encourage almost 500,000 people who are overdue for their third jab to come forward.
The state recorded 1510 new infections and another seven deaths on Friday, with health authorities managing 12,578 active infections.
Almost 500,000 Victorians are overdue for a vaccine booster, out of more than 750,000 who are currently eligible five months after their second dose.
The state government has announced it is ramping up capacity at state-run clinics and planning to keep two major vaccine hubs opens to "help turbo-charge" the vaccine booster rollout.
It had previously flagged it would close eight state-run vaccination clinics by mid-December.
However, on Friday it announced The Royal Exhibition Building clinic will remain open for walk-up appointments, from 8.30am to 3.30pm this weekend, and from 8am to 8pm Monday to Thursday.
The Wyndham drive-through clinic will also stay open from 8:30am to 4:30pm each day with no bookings required.
All 58 state-run vaccination clinics are offering walk-up Pfizer booster appointments in the lead up to Christmas, as well as bookings.
From Monday all sites will also offer walk-up Moderna booster appointments.
"Getting your booster should be at the top of your Christmas list this year to keep your friends and family safe during the holiday period and slow the spread of the virus," Health Minister Martin Foley said on Friday.
"Whether you go to your local pharmacy or GP, or one of our state sites, we urge you to make that appointment as soon as you're eligible. It will protect you, your loved ones and the whole community."
However, state-run clinics will close from Christmas Day, reopening on January 4, with people wanting a jab over that period urged to visit their local pharmacy.
Smaller pop-up clinics will continue throughout December in some areas, including at train stations, shopping centres and community support services.
An in-home vaccination service will offer appointments for people with mobility issues wanting their first or second vaccine dose.
It comes as testers are unable to keep up with demand, with at least 11 Melbourne test sites closed due to being over capacity.
Testers processed 82,301 results on Thursday, while 11,888 people were vaccinated in state-run hubs.
Health authorities are managing 13 confirmed Omicron infections in the state, with about 30 cases being treated as suspected Omicron.
There are 386 patients in hospital, 82 of whom are in intensive care and 43 on ventilators.
The seven-day hospitalisation average has risen by 10 to 356.
Meanwhile, Premier Daniel Andrews returned a negative result from a COVID-19 test after a scare and is free to leave isolation.
He was at an event on Saturday - his first day of about one month's leave - attended by a person with the virus.
