The Philippines has already administered a total of 139,454,246 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine nationwide, with 64,838,213 Filipinos having completed their primary doses and 11,291,687 of them have received booster shots against the virus, as of Thursday.

Based on the latest data from the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19, more than 10 million under the 5-11 age bracket got their first coronavirus shots, with 381,433 kids were fully vaccinated and more than 9.7 million under 12 to 17 age group, have completed their two primary series.

The NTF expects the number to increase in the coming days, following the approval of the country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use of Sinovac jabs to minors.

Pending the release of the final guidelines from the Department of Health and the Health Technology Assessment Council, the Sinovac can be administered to pediatric age groups 6 to 17 years old, according to the NTF.

NTF chief and vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., earlier said there is still a need to encourage fully vaccinated to avail of the Covid-19 booster shots “in order to build an additional layer of protection against the virus.”

“We have to highly encourage our government workers and economic front-liners to get their booster shots. Second, mag-provide dapat tayo ng (we should provide) possible incentives for people with boosters,” Galvez said in a news release late Wednesday.

Galvez added the government also recommends the administration of booster shots as the country is gearing towards total economic recovery.

He added some of the business sectors have suggested requiring booster shots in travels and entering establishments.

The National Vaccination Operations Center earlier noted that the low turnout of booster shots coverage is due to vaccine complacency of the public—thinking that the two primary doses are enough protection against the dreaded virus. (PNA)