NVOC: 37K minors with comorbidities vaccinated vs. COVID-19

A total of 37,964 minors with comorbidities aged 12 to 17 have been vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), The National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) said Tuesday.

“Nagsimula na ‘yung ating rollout ng comorbidities sa 12 to 17 years old sa iba’t ibang panig ng ating bansa noong October 29,” NVOC chairperson Myrna Cabotaje Cabotaje said during the Laging Handa briefing.

(We started the rollout of the [vaccination] of 12 to 18 years old with comorbidities in other areas on October 29.)

As of October 31, Cabotaje said 59.3 million doses have been administered nationwide. Around 31.9 million individuals have received at least one dose while 27.3 million have been fully vaccinated against the illness.

Cabotaje said 1.6 million or 99.75% of health workers have received at least one dose while 1.5 million or 95.35% have received two doses.

Meanwhile, Cabotaje again pushed for the vaccination of senior citizens.

At present, around 5.1 million or 62.30% of senior citizens have received at least one dose while 4.7 million or 57.65% have been fully vaccinated, slightly higher than the 56.22% reported by Cabotaje previously.

Cabotaje said the government is having trouble meeting its target of 70% vaccinated individuals due to vaccine hesitancy.

“Ang naging problema natin nung umpisa, alam niyo naman, kulang ‘yung bakuna. Ngayon naman po ay sagana tayo sa bakuna, ‘yung pag-e-enganyo naman sa medyo may hesitancy,” she said.

(Our problem previously was the lack of vaccines. Now that we have vaccines, we’re having trouble urging those who are hesitant.)

“But with the opening of the rest of the adult population… sana mapagibayo din ng ating pagbabakuna ng 12 sa magiging 12 and above na,” she added.

(But with the opening of the rest of the adult population… I hope we can ramp up the vaccination of 12 and above.)

Cabotaje said the Philippines recorded an average daily jab rate of 500,00 for the past week.

“We need to work double time, kailangan all hands on deck para ma meet ‘yung 1 million. Nasa 500,000 ibig sabihin mag double efforts tayo,” she said.

(We need to work double-time and have all hands on deck to meet the 1 million. We’re at 500,000 so that means we need double efforts.)

Meanwhile, she said that authorities expect to have fully vaccinated the eligible population in the National Capital Region by November or December.

"We are expecting this November makamit na nila 'yung 18 years old and above. But let us remember dito sa NCR, hindi lang taga NCR 'yung nababakunahan nila," she said.

(We are expecting this November to achieve the 18 and above. But let us remember that not all vaccinated in NCR are from the region.)

On Monday, the Philippines logged 3,117 new COVID-19 nfections, bringing the nationwide tally to 2,790,375 and active cases to 43,185. — RSJ, GMA News