Anti-vaxxers slammed as 'despicable' for trying to dissuade people from getting COVID-19 jab

Victoria's Acting Premier James Merlino has slammed anti-vaxxers who tried to dissuade people from getting their COVID-19 jabs as "despicable".

A number of protesters attempted to convince people lined up outside Melbourne's COVID-19 vaccination hubs in the past week to not get the vaccine.

"It is despicable, it's crazy. I think everyone should treat that with the contempt for which it deserves," Mr Merlino said.

"There is a small number of people that want to ignore the science, ignore the risk.

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"The only way through this pandemic is getting our vaccination rates up from the very low two per cent that we are at right now, to be in line with other jurisdictions around the world, which have got well over half the population fully vaccinated."

The acting premier said the way out of the pandemic relied on the majority of Victorians and Australians getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

"The behaviour of these anti-vaxxers, which is a tiny proportion of our community, I think, is absolutely despicable," he said.

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The rush to get vaccinated in Victoria amid its coronavirus outbreak has led to a shortage of Pfizer vaccines in the state.

It is unknown when the state will receive additional supply.

"In terms of forward bookings, there is a shortage, but I am not sure exactly when that supply will become available," Deputy Chief Health Officer Professor Allen Cheng said.

"We are trying to do the best we can with the supply we have.

"There is a small stockpile and we are using those at the moment. Clearly, there has been a surge in demand for vaccines."