Committee for Ballarat is stepping up its rallying mission and calling on young adults to help lead the charge in protecting this city from the deadly coronavirus while the state remains in the grips of the dangerous Delta strain.

The city's health services are reporting under-40s showing up in force for COVID-19 jabs, days after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has opened AstraZeneca vaccines for the younger cohort in state-run mass vaccination hubs.

This comes a week after Ballarat Health Services' jab centre, based at the Mercure, was forced to shorten its operational hours amid a Pfizer vaccine shortage. Federal government figures released last week also showed that while more than one in five Ballarat residents are fully vaccinated, Ballarat was lagging behind regional neighbours Bendigo and Geelong.

Committee for Ballarat chief Michael Poulton said there were a combined 1000 jab bookings available each day between UFS and BHS clinics, plus participating general practices.

Mr Poulton said with the general under-40 population now in the mix, this was a big chance for Ballarat to really set a strong tone in vaccination rates.

"If we can fill each day's appointments, that's 6000 a week and 16,000 by August 31," Mr Poulton said. "We know availability will increase in September and October, so just imagine where we can be by October 31.

"Across all age groups 18 years and older, let's do this by rolling up our sleeve and getting vaccinated for the safety of our community."

Mr Poulton said that not only was a vaccinated population a chance for young people to get back to what they love doing, but also one of the kindest acts to offer each other in trying times.

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UFS chief Lynne McLennan echoed Mr Poulton's comments.

"Let's get cracking Ballarat," Ms McLennan said. "Bendigo is currently ahead of us in the vaccination race and we can't have that."

Ballarat Health Services primary and community care executive director Craig Wilding said BHS encouraged anyone eligible for a COVID-19 jab to roll up their sleeve.

"We congratulate the people who have taken up appointments from this age bracket since we started on Wednesday," Mr Wilding said. "...There are appointments available every week. Even if you already have an appointment for AstraZeneca, you may be able to bring your appointment forward."

To book a jab, call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 or go online to portal.cvms.vic.gov.au/. Or, for the UFS clinic on Dana Street, call 4320 0891 (Pfizer and AstraZeneca) or online ufs.com.au/vaccine (AstraZeneca only).

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