Palace: 77 million adult Filipinos fully vaccinated before May elections

Malacañang said Tuesday that 77 million adult Filipinos will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the May 9 elections.

Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles made the assurance less than four months before the nationwide elections on May 9.

"We have already reached 54 million [fully vaccinated Filipinos]. That is actually 70% of the initial target which is the adult population. The next target is to reach the 77 million mark by the end of first quarter of 2022 which is end of March," Nograles said in a Palace briefing.

"What we want by the end of the first quarter is that the total adult population, who are the voters...before April or May, we want them fully vaccinated already," Nograles added.

A fully vaccinated adult population, Nograles said, would help ensure safe conduct of the 2022 elections amid the pandemic.

Government records show that of the 54 million fully vaccinated Filipinos so far, 6.88 million are under the 12 to 17 age bracket as reported by vaccine czar Carlito Galvez to President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night.

Only those aged 18 and above are allowed to vote, provided they are registered.

Nograles said protecting oneself does not end with the COVID-19 vaccine.

"We still need to wear a mask, observe proper hygiene, social distancing, proper ventilation. Vaccine just provides one layer of protection," Nograles said.

"We will now leave it up to the Comelec (Commission on Elections) as to how to implement the  minimum public health standards in casting votes in the precincts. But as far as the administration of President Duterte is concerned, the target is that, before election day, the entire adult population is fully vaccinated," Nograles added. —LDF, GMA News