Gov't hits COVID-19 vaccination record of over 710K jabs in a day

Surpassing the target of 500,000 jabs administered daily, the Philippine government on Friday announced that, again, it breaches the benchmark for inoculating 710,482 people against COVID-19 last Thursday, August 5.

Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon made the announcement during the Laging Handa briefing a day after people swarmed vaccination sites in Metro Manila ahead of the reimposition of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the capital region from August 6 to August 20.

On Thursday, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Gavez, Jr  announced that on August 3, the  country's vaccination efforts hit a record for jabbing 702,013 doses against COVID-19 on that day.

In Friday’s public briefing, Dizon said that 710,482 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered on August 5. 

“We hit a record high, and we must sustain this,” he added.

This placed the total number of doses administered at 23,199,187 -- of which 10,705,190 are second doses.

Quarantine pass

Dizon clarified that COVID-19 vaccination has never been required for the issuance a quarantine pass in areas under ECQ, in which only essential trips, and vital services are allowed to operate.

“Wala pong ganun. Hindi po puwede ‘yan. Patas po ng ECQ sa lahat, may bakuna man o wala”(That claim is untrue, and such restriction is prohibited. ECQ is fair to all, vaccinated or not), Dizon pointed out.

“Under ECQ, all people should stay home, unless they will go outside to buy essentials,” Dizon said.

Earlier, the government announced that COVID-19 vaccination will push through even though Metro Manila is under ECQ from August 6 to 20 as vaccination is considered an essential activity.

The Philippines is eyeing to vaccinate 76 million by the end of the year to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19. —LBG, GMA News