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Duterte ‘confident’ vaccination target of major cities will be met before Christmas

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Anjo Bagaoisan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="A vaccination drive is underway at a cinema in San Juan on September 14, 2021. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/09/28/20210914-covid19-vaccination-san-juan-jc-024918680.jpg"/><figcaption>A vaccination drive is underway at a cinema in San Juan on September 14, 2021. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA—President Rodrigo Duterte said he is confident that major cities throughout the country will have vaccinated half of their target population before 2021 is over.</p><p>During the president’s weekly public talk streamed before midnight Tuesday, Duterte said 23 million Filipinos have already completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is 30 percent of the government target of 77 million people (or 70% of Filipinos) by the end of 2021.</p><p>Nearly 50 million doses have been administered nationwide as of October 10, Sunday.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/12/21/abalos-ncr-curfews-may-be-loosened-as-covid-cases-drop">Abalos: Curfews in Metro Manila may be loosened as COVID-19 cases drop</a></li></ul><p>“The challenge is now to further speed up our vaccination rollout especially in the provinces, in the key cities and municipalities to achieve our target of at least 50% of the country’s target population by the end of the year,” Duterte said reading from a prepared statement.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/11/21/palace-high-chance-of-lower-metro-manila-alert-level">Palace sees &#x27;high chance&#x27; of lower Metro Manila alert level</a></li></ul><p>“We are confident that most, if not all major cities in the country will be able to hit and even surpass this target before Christmas. Sana (Hopefully).”</p><p>Duterte, who touted the vaccine rollout for the decrease in active cases in October, did not explain what qualifies as a major city.</p><p>“Kaunti na ang hawaan kasi kaunti na lang ang tao na hindi nabakunahan (Infections are fewer now because only a few people have not bee immunized,” he said. </p><p>Health Sec. Francisco Duque III agreed, saying that government has started to see COVID-19 cases in the regions dropping and healthcare utilization rates improving. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/12/21/mahigit-270000-pfizer-vaccine-doses-dumating-sa-naia">Mahigit 270,000 Pfizer vaccine doses, dumating sa NAIA</a></li></ul><p>“Bumababa ang hawaan, kontaminasyon. Bumababa sa awa ng Diyos (Infections and contamination have gone down),” Duterte said. </p><p>“Magandang balita ito (This is good news). If we continue to ramp up the vaccination of our people along with our consistent practice of mask-hugas-at iwas, and with the gradual resumption of economic activities, then we can hope for a better and truly merry Christmas.”</p><p>The government is set to increase its target of vaccination coverage to 90% of the country’s 110 million population, which it hopes to reach by 2022. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/11/21/over-924000-doses-of-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-arrive">Over 924,000 more doses of Pfizer&#x27;s COVID-19 vaccine arrive in PH</a></li></ul><p>The rate and speed of vaccination will depend on the supply of vaccines in the country. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/12/21/fda-sees-no-waning-effect-of-vaccines-so-far">FDA sees no waning effect of vaccines, no need for booster shots yet</a></li></ul><p>As of October 11, more than 87 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines — most of them procured — have arrived, according to the ABS-CBN News’s COVID-19 vaccine tracker.</p><p>Interior Sec. Eduardo Año also reminded local governments to ensure vaccines are administered within 15 to 30 days of delivery for provinces and within 3 days for cities and municipalities.</p><div><strong>CHILDREN’S VAXX PILOT TEST SET</strong></div><p>Duterte named 8 hospitals in Metro Manila where pilot testing of vaccinations for children ages 12 to 17 will begin on Thursday, which includes:</p><ul>	<li>Fe Del Mundo Medical Center</li>	<li>Makati Medical Center</li>	<li>National Children&#x27;s Hospital</li>	<li>Pasig City Children’s hospital</li>	<li>Philippine Children’s Medical Center</li>	<li>Philippine General Hospital</li>	<li>Philippine Heart Center</li>	<li>St. Luke’s Medical Center</li></ul><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/11/21/malacaang-malaki-ang-tsansa-ng-pagbaba-ng-metro-manila-alert-level">Malacañang naniniwalang malaki ang tsansang ibababa ang Metro Manila alert level</a></li></ul><p>The Department of Health earlier said children with underlying medical conditions will be prioritized for the pilot test, which will be done in 2 phases involving ages 15 to 17 and ages 12 to 14.</p><p>The country has already begun vaccinating the general population 7 months since jabs were put out for priority groups in March. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1797075" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

Duterte on Monday said 23 million Filipinos have already completed doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Duterte ‘confident’ vaccination target of major cities will be met before Christmas

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Duterte ‘confident’ vaccination target of major cities will be met before Christmas

Anjo Bagaoisan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 12, 2021 05:41 AM PHT

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Updated Oct 12, 2021 06:17 AM PHT

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