PH administers 30M COVID-19 jabs; 13M Filipinos now fully vaccinated

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has so far been able to administer a total of 30 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since the government rolled out its vaccination program in March, with 13 million Filipinos already fully vaccinated against the pandemic disease.

Authorities touted government’s efforts to administer 30 million jabs despite the limited supply of vaccines globally.

“Noong unang araw ng Marso, nagsimula po tayo ng ating bakunahan. Wala po tayong makuhang bakuna noon dahil ang mga mayayamang bansa, sinolo ang mga bakuna,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a vaccination event in San Mateo, Rizal.

(When we started vaccinating in March, we did not have many vaccines because rich countries monopolized the supply.)

“Ngayon po, 23 ng Agosto, mayroon na tayong 30 million na nabakunahan,” he added.

(Now on August 23, we have vaccinated 30 million individuals.)

Roque, however, admitted that this is still far from the target of fully vaccinating at least 70 million individuals.

He added that while vaccinations in Metro Manila are ongoing, local chief executives have agreed to help neighboring areas in terms of supply and inoculation to further amp up the immunization program.

“Habang natatapos na po ang pagbabakuna sa Metro Manila, nagkasundo na po ang mga mayor tutulong na po sila sa mga karatig na mga lugar nang sa gayon lahat ng Metro Manila Plus 8 magkakaroon ng population protection,” he said

(As the vaccination in Metro Manila commences, mayors have agreed to help neighboring areas to achieve population protection.)

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., who is also National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer, said that of the 30 million jabs, 13 million are second doses, meaning 13 million Filipinos are already fully vaccinated.

As of August 22, the Philippines has a total of 1,839,635 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 1,681,925 recoveries and 31,810 deaths.

EDV