Over 59 million Filipinos received full doses of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines, as of Wednesday.

The latest data from the National Covid-19 vaccination dashboard showed the Philippines has already administered 127,163,606 doses of Covid-19 vaccine nationwide.

Of the total administered jabs, 60,466,380 doses were used as first shots, 59,120,367 as second jabs, and 7,576,859 as booster shots or additional doses.

More than 7.5 million adolescents, or children aged 12 to 17 years, are likewise fully protected against the dreaded Covid-19 infection.

Meanwhile, the government will start the Covid-19 vaccination program for children aged 5 to 11 years old on Friday.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, Dr. Ted Herbosa, medical adviser of the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19, said the pilot administration of lower-dose Covid-19 jabs for kids will be done in select hospitals and local government-run vaccination sites within Metro Manila.

These include the Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, and National Children’s Hospital, SM North EDSA’s Skydome, all in Quezon City; Fil Oil Gymnasium in San Juan and in Manila Zoo.

This will be expanded in other vaccination sites in Metro Manila and nearby provinces after a week.

Herbosa urged more parents to allow their children to get protection against Covid-19 infection, noting that the Philippine Pediatric Society, Inc. and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines, have already recommended the vaccination program for a much younger population.

Parents and guardians are reminded to bring necessary requirements on the scheduled day of their children’s vaccination.

Eligible Filipinos may also avail of the booster shots at select pharmaceutical stores in Metro Manila. (PNA)