National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. is optimistic that the government will be able to hit its target to fully inoculate at least 54 million Filipinos by the end of this year to achieve population protection against the virus.

Galvez, also the vaccine czar, made this remark during the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” culmination event at a mall in Mandaluyong City on Thursday, noting that nearly 40 million Filipinos are now fully protected against the dreaded coronavirus infection.

The latest data from the national Covid-19 vaccination dashboard showed the Philippines has administered a total of 94,236,990 doses nationwide, with 54,033,022 jabs were given as first dose, 39,560,598 as second dose and 643,370 were used as booster shots.

Galvez attributed the increase of the country’s average daily vaccination rate to the last week’s massive vaccination drive.

The vaccine czar reported that a total of 10,254,560 doses were administered during the five-day “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” drive from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3, with the daily average jab rate of 2,050,912 doses.

“This is the highest recorded since the national vaccination program was rolled out in March,” he said, adding that “better Christmas for all Filipinos is now at hand this year.”

The government is set to hold another round of Bayanihan, Bakunahan drive from Dec. 15 to 17, to further scale up the country’s vaccination.

“At magpapatuloy ang ating pagbabayanihan. Pupuntahan natin ang bawat sulok ng bansa upang maihatid ang mga bakuna at maiturok ito sa braso ng ating mga mahal na kababayan (Our bayanihan will continue. We will go to every corner of the country to distribute the vaccines and administer these to our fellow countrymen),” he added.

Galvez called on the public to participate anew in the second phase of the national vaccination day targeting to prioritize the administration of second doses.

Walk-ins planning to get their first dose will also be accommodated. (PNA)