Duterte urges Filipinos to get vaccinated amid lingering COVID-19 threat

President Rodrigo Duterte urged Filipinos to get vaccinated at the earliest opportunity, stating that COVID-19 might remain part of their lives for years and emphasizing the continued need for health protocols.

He advised that measures such as social distancing, hand washing, and wearing face masks will likely become ingrained in daily routines as the virus circulates in the environment for an extended period.

As of August 15, the Philippines had fully vaccinated 12,565,017 people, representing 11.4 percent of the population, with an additional 13.8 percent having received their first dose.

With the vaccination drive averaging nearly 500,000 jabs daily, herd immunity is projected to be achieved by April 2022.

The acceleration of the country's vaccination program is attributed to increased vaccine supply from COVAX, and donations from the United States, Japan, and the UAE.