UPDATE, 1.20pm: The additional 300 Pfizer appointments at Ballarat Health Service's vaccination hub on Saturday have been snapped up, but another 300 are available on Sunday. The best way to book is through the online portal at BHS.org.au/COVID. EARLIER: Ballarat Health Services is calling on residents to book in for their first or second Pfizer vaccine at their Mercure clinic, with hundreds of appointments available. The health service told The Courier about 300 appointments for Pfizer were available for members of the Ballarat community on Saturday. It comes as Victoria hit a state record of new COVID cases, with 1488 cases announced on Saturday morning. Hundreds of thousands of Victorians were issued an ultimatum on Friday: get vaccinated for COVID-19 in two weeks or risk losing your job. All Victorian authorised workers must have their first vaccine dose by October 15 and a second by November 26 to keep working on site, as part of a new statewide mandate. The requirement will cover retail workers, personal trainers, MPs, journalists, faith leaders, judges, police, lawyers, actors and professional sportspeople. Of the 1.25 million estimated authorised workers in the state, Premier Daniel Andrews says more than a million have already had their first dose. Bookings for the vaccine are essential and can be made via the online portal or by phoning 1800 675 398. Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.