Over 690,000 booster shots administered in Metro Manila

SOUVENIR SHOT An elderly resident of Marikina City on Monday captures in his mobile phone camera the moment that he receives his booster shot against COVID-19. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — More than 690,000 COVID-19 vaccine booster shots have been given in the National Capital Region (NCR) as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos said Wednesday.

Abalos said 690,571 booster shots have been administered in Metro Manila as of January 3.

“We got this data about two or three days ago, I’m sure mas marami ito ngayon dahil napupuno ang ating vaccination sites,” Abalos said during the GoNegosyo Town Hall on the COVID-19 situation in the Philippines.

(I’m sure the numbers now are higher because our vaccination sites are full.)

Abalos said the target due for booster shots administration this month is 763,986.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier announced that boosters could now be administered to adults at least three months after the second dose of a primary two-dose vaccine or at least two months after the primary single-dose vaccine is given.

Vaccines like AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinovac, or Sputnik are two-dose vaccines while Janssen is the sole single-dose vaccine currently approved for use in the country.

The Makati City government on Tuesday also announced that it is now allowing walk-ins for nonresidents who want to get a booster shot against COVID-19.

/MUF