The government reiterated that it is no time to be complacent despite the improvements in the country’s vaccination and COVID-19 cases, as around 21 million individuals have yet to receive their first dose.
As of 6:00 a.m. of Dec. 2, a total of 7,628,432 have been vaccinated in the three-day Bayanihan Bakunahan drive, including the 2,713,731 vaccinated on Nov. 29, 2,466,728 on Nov. 30, and 2,447,973 on Dec. 1.
The National Vaccines Operation Center (NVOC) said 85% of these numbers are first doses, bringing the first dose recipient tally to 55.4 million nationwide.
NVOC data showed that Regions 4A, 3, and 7 are the top performing regions, while Cavite, Laguna, and Cebu Province are the top performing provinces in the National Vaccination Days.
The National Capital Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Regions 1, 2, and 4B have already exceeded their vaccination targets.
The government has extended the massive rollout until Dec. 3 to further expand coverage. Authorities initially set a 15 million jab target, which was adjusted to nine million.
NVOC Chairperson Myrna Cabotaje said in the Dec. 2 Laging Handa briefing that the extension was appealed by local government units, including those at the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, as more people head to vaccination sites.
The NVOC also asked companies not to mark as absent their employees who will get vaccinated.
“Tatlong araw lang ang pinroclaim ni President so it will be management prerogative. Ang pakikiusapan lang natin sa mga managers, mga heads ng companies, if they can extend the same courtesy for the extended two days,” Cabotaje said.
Presidential Adviser for COVID-19 response Sec. Vince Dizon said they are preparing for the second round of Bayanihan Bakunahan set on Dec. 15 to 17.
“Kailangan mas ma-organize natin ang pag-distribute ng mga bakuna, kailangan mas efficient pa tayo, mas maging efficient pa tayo sa pag-aayos ng vaccination sites para mas mabilis,” he said.
“At kailangan ma-inform nang mabuti, ma-disseminate natin ang impormasyon sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na ngayon na nakakatakot itong Omicron,” he added. – Report from Mark Fetalco/AG- jlo
