NTF confident of reaching 15 million people target during 3-day vaccination drive

The National Task Force Against COVID-19 is confident that the government will reach its target of 15 million individuals getting their vaccinations during the three-day national vaccination campaign against COVID-19 from November 29 to December 1, the NTF's spokesperson said Saturday.

"Maganda naman ang kumpiyansa ng ating National Task Force (The National Task Force is confident)," NTF spokesperson Retired Major General Restituto Padilla said at the Laging Handa briefing.

"Naniniwala rin po kami na ang bayanihan spirit ay malakas at very much alive sa ating bansa. Ito lang ay makakamit kung tayo talaga ay magtutulong-tulong," he added.

(We also believe that the community spirit is strong and very much alive in our country. But this will only be achieved if we all help each other.)

Padilla said feedback from health workers who will participate in the vaccination drive is "very encouraging," adding that those from the private sector will strengthen their cooperation as they open their facilities for the nationwide campaign.

Padilla said the public should encourage unvaccinated people to get their jabs, pointing out that the vaccination campaign would lead to the country's economic recovery.

Interviewed at the Laging Handa briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said reaching a 50% to 70% target would be "good enough."

"Kung hindi man natin maabot at makaabot man tayo ng 50% to 70%, that is already good enough. Pero ang pinakamaganda rito, 'yang target, kung maaabot natin, mas dadami na ang bakunado sa ating bansa and the protection will be there," Vergeire said.

(If we reach 50% to 70%, that is already good enough. But the best thing is, if we reach our target, there will be more vaccinated people in our country and the protection will be there.)

"Hopefully everybody gets to help us so that we can all be able to have a better Christmas," Vergeire added.

The government is looking to administer five million vaccine doses every day during the three-day campaign.

There are at least 29.8 million Filipinos who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The vaccination rollout started on March 1, 2021.

The government is looking to vaccinate 80% of the country's 109 million population by May 9, 2022. — DVM, GMA News