There are now 17 million workers that are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 following the successful first national vaccination drive held last week, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Wednesday.

“Because of the vaccination days program more people especially workers were vaccinated,” Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay said in a television interview. “From 10 million prior to the 3-day vaccination program, we now have 17 million fully-vaccinated workers.”

Tutay said there are still more workers who need to be inoculated against the dreaded virus.

“This is a big deal (the number of fully vaccinated) but if you look at the labor market there is much more to be vaccinated,” she said.

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier reported that it has administered over 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine during the first “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” vaccination days from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3.

The government is set to hold another national vaccination drive from Dec. 15 to 17, hoping to boost its target to fully vaccinate 54 million Filipinos by yearend.

“I think by December 31 of 2021 we are all confident that we will surpass the 54 million fully vaccinated, especially if we get the same support or even much more support for the second round ng Bayanihan, Bakunahan,” acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said in an interview over CNN Philippines’ The Source on Wednesday. (PNA)