By Ma. Teresa Montemayor / Philippine News Agency
A total of 57,494,154 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered nationwide since the rollout began in March, the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday (Oct. 28).
The latest data from the National Vaccines Operation Center showed that 95.2% or 1,560,938 of the 1,638,917 healthcare workers have been fully vaccinated, while 56.22% or 4,640,338 of the target 8,254,531 senior citizens have completed their doses.
In an online media briefing, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the high numbers of fully vaccinated healthcare workers and senior citizens can be attributed to the one-shot Janssen vaccine.
“Ang 57.4 million jabs na ito ay broken down to 31,015,216 first doses and 26,479,028 second doses,“ Cabotaje said.
Although the number of fully vaccinated senior citizens is high, Cabotaje said there is a need to vaccinate more of the older population and the A5 category or the indigents.
For the individuals with comorbidities, about 80.01% or 7,219,174 of the target 9,023,070 population are fully vaccinated.
For the frontline personnel in the essential sector, about 31.44% or 28,300,410 target individuals have received their second jab.
Meantime 2,838,535 or 21.99% of the 12,911,193 indigents are now fully vaccinated.
“Nag-umpisa na rin po tayo ng rest of the adult population, 18 and above, 1,165,171 first dose and 323,412 two doses,” Cabotaje said.
She added that for the pediatric vaccination of those with comorbidities, a total of 23,727 minors have received their life-saving shots as of Oct. 27.
The national government is keeping to its goal to achieve population protection before this year ends, raising the initial target of 70% or 77 million of the eligible population to 80 to 90% or about 88 million.
As of Oct. 28 noon, the Philippines has received a total of 99,551,290 vaccine doses. (PNA) – jlo
