MALACANANG (15 November 2021) — The Philippine National Vaccination Program achieved another milestone on Monday, as the total COVID-19 vaccine doses administered has reached 70,677,771, bringing the number of fully vaccinated individuals in the country to 31,868,120.

“With our current pace and the eagerness of all sectors of society to hit and sustain a daily jab rate of 1.5 million, we are confident that by the end of November, half of our target population will be fully vaccinated,” said National Task Force against COVID 19 Chief Implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr.

With its goal of vaccinating 70% or 77 million of the Philippines’ total population, Galvez said the national government is on track to fully inoculating half of this number and administering at least one shot of the vaccine to 54 million Filipinos by the end of the month.

He noted that the country’s COVID-19 supply inventory has now reached 124,914,000 doses and will continue to grow in the coming days and weeks.

“More than 16 million doses are still expected to arrive this November, which means that by the end of this month, we would be receiving 140 million doses since February. These will be crucial as we carry out a more aggressive vaccination rollout nationwide,” he added.

During the pre-recorded Talk to the People of President Rodrigo Duterte, Galvez shared that the country’s weekly jab output continues to go up following the scaled up vaccination rollout in the regions and provinces.

“Ang kagandahan, paakyat ng paakyat ang ating weekly output. We are able to surpass ‘yung highest performance natin. Last week, 5.4 million doses, ngayon 5.5 million doses na. Meaning, lumalapit na tayo sa target monthly output na at least 25 million doses ngayong November,” he said.

Galvez also reported that the country’s daily average vaccination rate has significantly improved this month which now stands at 811,501 jabs. Likewise, the country’s five-day daily average jab rate from November 8 to 12 has reached 979,270 doses.

Give the best Christmas gift

Meanwhile, the vaccine czar called on the Filipino people, particularly the adult population, to get the COVID-19 jab, as this is the best gift they can give to their loved ones this holiday season.

“The best Christmas gift that we can give to ourselves, our families, our friends and co-workers, and everyone in the community is to have ourselves vaccinated. Get the COVID 19 jab now so we can have a better and safer Christmas,” said Galvez.

He also encouraged people to support in the upcoming massive vaccination drive dubbed Bayanihan, Bakunahan National Vaccination Days from November 29 to December 1 by having themselves vaccinated.

“All systems go na po tayo in our National Vaccination Days and we are continuously working with all sectors to ensure its seamless implementation. That’s why we call on everyone — lahat ng Pilipino na nasa lungsod, probinsya, o mga isla sa iba’t ibang panig ng ating bansa — pupuntahan at hahatiran namin kayo ng bakuna upang maprotektahan kayo at ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay,” Galvez said.

“Get the COVID 19 jab and be a hero to your family and community,” he added.

The vaccine czar shared that all assets of the government will be utilized to ensure the success of the nationwide activity.

Galvez added that military aircraft and other service vehicles of the military and police will be used in the deployment of 15 to 16 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to the regions and provinces.

Three-day activity, which is a collaborative effort of the national government, local government units, and the private sectors, aims to build up and sustain the country’s momentum to administer 1.5 million vaccine doses daily. END