Gov’t target: COVID-19 vaccination for 30% of population by end of August

Despite bad weather, Manila residents lined up on Sunday, July 25, 2021, at a COVID-19 vaccination center at the Lucky Chinatown Mall. (Photo from the Manila Public Information Office).

MANILA, Philippines — The national government is aiming to increase the number of fully vaccinated individuals to about 30% of the total population by the end of August to be on track of achieving herd immunity, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Friday.

Around 15% of the country’s targeted eligible population are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, he said.

“Target natin is maiangat natin sa 30% ‘yung total population ay bakunado na by the end of August,” Galvez said in an interview on ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo.

(We aim to increase the number of fully vaccinated people to 30% of the population by the end of August.)

Carlito Galvez Jr.

The government is likewise aiming to vaccinate 50% of Metro Manila residents to achieve population protection amid the threat of the highly contagious COVID-19 Delta variant.

Metro Manila is currently under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until August 20.

Galvez said that by the end of the lockdown, the government expects to vaccinate at least four million people.

The government is likewise aiming to increase daily vaccination rate to 750,000 to one million jabs to be able to achieve herd immunity within the year.

“Tinatarget natin at least maka-one million or 750,000 doses a day tayo. ‘Pag nakuha na natin ‘yun by mid-September malaki at significant ang magiging contribution natin sa herd immunity. Confident talaga kami na makukuha natin ‘yun,” he said.

(We are aiming to administer 750,000 to one million vaccines a day. Once we achieve that, we would have a significant contribution to herd immunity. We are confident that we can do it.)

Senior citizens, health workers and adults with comorbidities await their turn to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the San Juan Arena (NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer file photo)

The Philippines was able to breach the 700,000-mark daily jabs last August 3.

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