DOH: 43M now fully vaccinated

The Philippines has administered 100 million COVID-19 vaccines since March and now has 43 million fully vaccinated individuals, according to Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje.

The country hit the milestone in the middle of the second round of its national vaccination campaign, which saw 1.79 million doses administered in the first two days.

The government aims to administer 7 million doses during this second round and to fully inoculate 54 million Filipinos by yearend.

So far, 56 million have received their first dose, while more than a million have received a booster or third dose.

Malacañang commended the Department of Health, the National Vaccination Operations Center, the National Task Force Against COVID-19, local governments, private partners, and medical front-liners and volunteers for a job well done.

“This is indeed a showcase of the true bayanihan spirit. Congratulations to all,” said acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles.

Nograles, however, warned the public against complacency, especially with the presence of the Omicron variant.

Ramp up vaccination

“We will continue to ramp up our vaccination efforts and call on those unvaccinated to get their jabs as soon as possible to protect themselves, their loved ones and their community,” he said.

He reminded establishments to comply with protocols and to follow minimum public health standards.

People who attend dawn Masses should wear masks and maintain a 1-meter distancing, he said.

Amid the threat of the Omicron variant and the campaign season, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday urged candidates to promote vaccinations.

“I wish that every candidate will advocate for people to go and get their vaccine as early as possible,” WHO representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe said.

He said the candidates should “come together and advocate vaccination regardless of their political ideology.”

He also appealed to candidates to set good example in following minimum health standards.