63 million individuals in PH now fully vaccinated

MANILA, Philippines — Around 63 million individuals in the country are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje reported Saturday.

“As of February 25, mayroon na tayong total na (we have a total of) 63 million fully vaccinated. So, that is 70 percent of our target 90 million. This is 80 percent of our total projected population,” she said during the Laging Handa public briefing.

For the pediatric immunization of minors aged five to 11, around 600,000 have already received their first dose.

READ: COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5-11 to be held in 6 sites

“Ang latest data natin 663,384 ang nabakunahan nating five to 11 [years old]. Hindi naman maapektuhan ‘yung kanilang second dose kasi sinabi natin sa ating mga nagbabakuna na mag-reserve sila ng second dose nila para siguradong may ise-second dose,” said Cabotaje.

(Our latest data is 663,384 vaccinated five- to 11-year olds. Their second dose would not be affected because we directed vaccinators to reserve their second doses.)

The health official, meanwhile, pointed out that the government needs to boost and think of other strategies to encourage vaccination as the daily jab rate dropped.

READ: Low vaccination rate puts PH at risk of new surge

“Pero, in terms naman ‘yung ating weekly performance, medyo mababa, nasa [300,000] to 500,000 per day na tayo. So, kailangan talagang pag-ibayuhin at ibang istratehiya para mapataas pa ‘yung ating jabs per day,” she said.

(In terms of our weekly performance, it is quite low. We need to ramp up and change our strategies to increase our jabs per day.)

Cabotaje said that the government will focus its immunization drive in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Central Visayas due to its low vaccination turnout.

je