The government has administered around 2.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine during the second “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” drive from Dec. 15 to 18, a Department of Health (DOH) official reported Monday.

In a televised Laging Handa public briefing, DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the administered vaccines do not include 639 local government units (LGUs) in Mimaropa, Regions 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas) and Caraga where inoculation activities were cancelled due to Typhoon Odette.

“Pag-iibayuhin iyong NCR, CAR, Regions 1, 2, 3, 4-A, ituluy-tuloy pa rin iyong bakunahan. Tapos uumpisahan na po iyong sa mga naudlot sa Region 5, Mimaropa, Regions 6, 7, 8 and Caraga (The vaccination activities will continue in National Capital Region, Cordillera Admnistrative Region, Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A. Then, the postponed inoculation activities in Region 5, Mimaropa, Region 6, 7, 8 and Caraga will be started again),” Cabotaje said.

She said other areas have signified to start with their COVID-19 vaccination on Dec. 27 to 28 because their respective LGUs are still focused on rescue and relief operations for “Odette” victims.

To achieve the target of 7 million vaccinated individuals, the DOH still needs to inoculate 4.5 million more Filipinos from Dec. 20 to 22 as part of the second leg of the national vaccination drive.

Cabotaje disclosed that concerned agencies have agreed to strengthen the vaccination drive, especially the administration of the second dose.

“Kasi kung maalala natin, iyong NVD1 [National Vaccination Drive 1] natin ay almost 21 to 28 days ago, ngayon na due iyong second doses nila (The NVD1 is almost 21 to 28 days ago, their second doses are now due),” she said. (PNA)