By NG Seruela
National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon announced on Friday (July 2) that the Philippines has administered a total of 11 million jabs against COVID-19.
In today’s Laging Handa public briefing, testing czar Sec. Dizon announced that 1-M doses have been administered in just four days. He claimed that it is the fastest vaccination since the launch of the national vaccination program in March.
“Sa loob lamang po ng apat na araw mula Lunes hanggang kahapon, Huwebes, July 1, nakapag-jab po tayo ng isang milyong Pilipino. Isang milyong doses ang nai-jab natin from Monday, June 28 hanggang kahapon Thursday, July 1,” he said.
Dizon admitted that the country is currently facing a challenge due to the limited vaccine supply. However, he disclosed that the public’s vaccine confidence is increasing since many local government units (LGUs) are requesting for additional vaccines.
“Alam ninyo po, ang totoo po ngayon eh hirap pa rin tayo sa supply ‘no. Pero ang kinagandahan nito ay marami na po sa ating mga kababayan ang gusto nang makatanggap ng kanilang bakuna. Kaya nga po marami sa ating mga local chief executive, marami sa ating mga gobernador ay humihingi na nang napakaraming bakuna,” he said
“Dahil nga po eh sa dami po ng mga kababayan natin na gusto nang magpabakuna, kulang pa rin po ang supply natin.”
Dizon also reported that the country’s average daily jabs have exceeded 250,000 and can reach up to more than 350,000 if the vaccine supply permits.
“Lumampas na po tayo ng 250,000. Ang ating target ay 500,000 pero siyempre ito ay dulot na rin ng kakulangan sa supply. Pero may mga araw po kapag marami tayong supply na nakukuha, umaabot na po tayo nang mahigit 350,000.”
Meanwhile, he reiterated that more than 10-M vaccine doses of different brands will arrive in the country in July.
“Noon pong June ang dumating pong bakuna ay mahigit 9 million doses, ngayon pong July eh mahigit sampung milyong doses ang darating. Kasama na rin ang mga doses na binili ng ating private sector,” he said. – rir
