Fully vaxxed Pinoys hit 70 million

MANILA, Philippines — The government is now just about seven million short of its target to vaccinate 77 million people by the end of June, or before President Duterte steps down from office.

Department of Health (DOH) data showed that as of May 28, the number of fully vaccinated people nationwide has reached 70,790,342.

Of the total figure, 2.9 million are health care workers, 7.9 million are senior citizens and 9.6 million are people with comorbidities.

Also among the fully vaccinated are 19.5 million workers, 9.2 million indigent families, and 21.3 million from the rest of the population.

The National Capital Region recorded the greatest number of fully vaccinated individuals with 9.6 million, followed by Calabarzon with 6.7 million, and Central Luzon with 5.4 million.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, on the other hand, posted the lowest number of vaccinated individuals with 492,000, followed by Caraga with 836,000, and Cordillera Administrative Region with 850,000.

Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje urged all eligible but still unvaccinated Filipinos to get their COVID-19 vaccine jabs as soon as possible.

“We want to emphasize that the virus is unpredictable, ever-changing, which is why we should not put our guard down,” Cabotaje said in a statement.

“The DOH continuously reminds the public that getting vaccinated is the best defense and best long-term solution in this pandemic,” the health official added.