Over 27 million Filipinos are now fully protected against coronavirus infections, according to the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 tracker on Sunday.

Based on the National Covid-19 Vaccination Dashboard, the Philippines has already administered 59,134,236 doses nationwide.

Of the total, 31,862,067 doses were given as first shots and 27,272,169 were used as second doses.

The country’s average daily vaccination rate in the last seven days stood at 518,294 doses.

NTF chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier said the government targets to increase the average daily jabs administered to up to 1.5 million doses to reach its goal of protecting at least 50 million Filipinos by yearend.

The vaccination rate is expected to increase with the start of the nationwide pediatric vaccination on Nov. 3, targeting 12.7 million minors aged 12 to 17 years.

Previous inoculation activities prioritized those with comorbidities.

Galvez said at least 157 hospitals and non-hospital vaccination sites will be utilized.

Booster shots for health care workers may also be administered within November, pending the Emergency Use Authorization amendments and the final recommendation from the World Health Organization. (PNA)