By Lade Jean Kabagani / Philippine News Agency
The Philippines still needs to fully vaccinate seven million Filipinos by the end of the month to meet its target of 54 million and achieve population protection this year.
Based on data from the national COVID-19 vaccination dashboard, the Philippines, as of Saturday (Dec. 25), has administered a total of 105,329,784 doses of vaccines nationwide, with 47,109,449 Filipinos now fully protected and 1,365,827 others having received their booster shots.
Due to the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, the country’s average daily vaccination rate has decreased to 675,567 doses.
Despite a few setbacks on the vaccination program, Presidential Adviser on COVID-19 Response Vince Dizon earlier said the government remains optimistic that the target of 54 million fully vaccinated is still achievable with more deliveries of the single-dose Janssen vaccine.
“Iyong ating mga areas na tinamaan ng bagyo, siyempre hindi natin mai-expect na magbakuna sila dahil nga busy sila sa relief at sa rehabilitation. Pero iyong mga ibang lugar naman na hindi tinamaan ng Odette ay talagang dapat paigtingin natin at tuluy-tuloy lang tayo,” he said in a previous interview.
Dizon said the government will further ramp up the administration of second doses and single-shot Janssen vaccines, particularly in areas that have not been affected by the typhoon.
“Ang priority natin, lahat ng second dose, at pina-prioritize din natin iyong Janssen vaccines dahil isang bakuna lang, isang dose lang ay fully vaccinated na ang ating mga kababayan,” he said.
The Philippines has so far received 198,823,210 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, both procured and donated, since March. (PNA) – jlo
