Malacañang announced Friday that 43 million Filipinos had completed their COVID-19 vaccines.
According to presidential spokesperson Karlo Alexei Nograles, the number of Pinoys fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of December 16 has reached 43 million. He added 56 million had received their first dose of the vaccine.
Nograles the 43 million account for 55.78% of the target population.
“We commend the Department of Health, the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC), the National Task Force Against COVID-19, the local government units, our private and development partners, along with our medical frontliners and volunteers, for a job well done. This is indeed a showcase of the true bayanihan spirit. Congratulations to all,” Nograles said in a statement.
The second wave of the national vaccination drive called “Bayanihan, Bakunahan 2” will inject seven million vaccine doses. It was scheduled from December 15 to 17 for areas not affected by Typhoon Odette and December 19 to 22 for affected areas.
The government targeted to vaccinate 54 million Filipinos by the end of 2021.
“We must not lull ourselves into complacency. 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,” Nograles said.
43M Filipinos fully vaccinated against COVID-19 – Palace
“The coronavirus is still around with the looming threat of the Omicron variant. All must comply with the 50% indoor and 70% outdoor capacity and strictly adhere to minimum public health standards, especially those attending Simbang Gabi, continue to wear face masks, maintain 1-meter physical distancing, avoid crowds and observe proper hygiene,” Nograles added.
Earl this month, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año clarified that the 23 cities’ population protection is not equivalent to herd immunity.
“I would like to correct na hindi pa yan herd immunity kundi population protection dahil more than 70% ng target population (priority groups) are already vaccinated. Herd immunity is based on actual population,” he said.
(I would like to correct that that is not yet herd immunity but population protection because more than 70% of the target population [priority groups] are already vaccinated.)
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