By Ma. Cristina Arayata | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – The government is targeting to administer 1.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the fourth National Vaccination Day from March 10 to 12, National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 consultant Ma. Paz Corrales said on Monday (March 7).
At the arrival of 3,999,060 doses of Pfizer vaccine donated by the US government, Paz reiterated the government’s target to inoculate 70 million Filipinos by March, and a total of 90 million by June.
She encouraged the public to get their booster shots.
“Booster dose is an added protection. We don’t know the possibility of having another variant of COVID-19,” Corrales said.
Corrales said the vaccination sites for the fourth National Vaccination Day will be nearer and more accessible to the public. The target number of vaccinee varies depending on the local government unit.
She added that focus will be given to senior citizens, since they are more vulnerable to the virus.
Corrales also reminded the public not to forget the vaccination for those 5 to 11 years old as well as those aged 12 and above.
Meanwhile, United States Agency for International Development Philippines Health Office Director Michelle Lang-Alli was also present at the arrival of the donated vaccines.
Lang-Alli said the US government is working closely with the Philippines in its COVID-19 efforts.
To date, some 33.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been donated by the US to the Philippines.
The US government had also provided an estimated P1.9 billion worth of assistance in support of its initiatives against COVID-19. The amount was allocated to support testing, vaccine deployment, training of health workers, procurement of supplies and equipment, among others.
Monday’s shipment of close to four million doses was the largest single-day delivery of Pfizer vaccines to the Philippines. The latest shipment was made possible through the COVAX facility.
Based on the Department of Health’s COVID-19 vaccination dashboard, the country has administered 135,929,478 doses. Over 63.7 million have received the complete doses, while over 10.5 million received their booster shots. (PNA)
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