The Philippines has fully vaccinated a total of 70,917,708 Filipinos against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) with 14,197,202 receiving a third dose or first booster shots as of June 1.

The latest data from the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) showed that some 152,012,792 jabs have been administered out of the 245,233,560 total vaccine doses acquired by the government, both procured and donated, since February 2021.

The country’s average daily vaccination rate in the last seven days is 107,452 doses.

In a televised virtual briefing on Thursday, Dr. Benito Atienza of the Philippine Medical Association urged the remaining unvaccinated population to avail of the two primary Covid-19 doses as well as those fully vaccinated to get their booster shots.

“Alalahanin po natin na nag-wane na ang ating immunity para sa Covid-19 kasi lampas na po iyan ng four to six months kaya po dapat po ay napapamigay na ang first boosters (We should be reminded that our immunity against Covid-19 is waning because it has already exceeded four to six months, that’s why the first boosters should be given already),” he said.

The fourth Covid-19 dose or second booster shot is now available for immunocompromised individuals, senior citizens, and healthcare workers.

Atienza also urged the parents to allow their children to get protected against Covid-19 as the government plans a 100 percent resumption of face-to-face classes in the next school year.

There are still enough supplies of reformulated Covid-19 vaccines for the pediatric population aged five to 11 years old, he added.

Atienza said the Philippine Medical Association is closely collaborating with the Department of Health to assure that those remaining unvaccinated individuals could get their primary doses, especially the provision of first and second booster shots to eligible individuals.

Atienza also reminded the public to continue the strict adherence to minimum health protocols amid the Covid-19 pandemic. (PNA)