PH’s COVID-19 vaccination drive: At least 11.7 million doses administered so far

FILE PHOTO: The word “COVID-19” is reflected in a drop on a syringe needle in this illustration taken November 9, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

MANILA, Philippines — More than 11.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines were administered nationwide as of July 4, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

The health agency’s data released Monday indicated that at least 8.8 million individuals have received their first doses of the coronavirus shot while over 2.8 million have been fully vaccinated.

The total doses administered in the 18th week of the national vaccination drive reached a “record high” of 1,778,989 doses, the DOH said. The country started vaccinating against the new coronavirus in the first week of March.

In the last seven days, the country has administered an average of 254,141 doses of the different COVID-19 vaccines.

“The government is urging eligible populations belonging to priority groups A1 to A5 to register with their local government units, get vaccinated, and complete the required number of doses as scheduled,” the DOH said in a statement.

“Regardless of vaccination status, everyone is urged to continue practicing the minimum public health standards as you may still get infected with COVID-19 and infect other people,” it added.

The government aims to vaccinate 70 percent of the country’s population — or around 70 million individuals — to reach herd immunity. Vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. said the country may reach this benchmark by November although DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said this goal may extend to January 2021 “at most” since “all these depends on the adequacy of the supply.”

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KGA