Typhoon Odette weakens, claims 2 lives; COVID vax drive nears 1M doses

Typhoon Odette has weakened but continues to affect parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, leaving at least two dead, two missing, and displacing scores of people.

The typhoon is expected to make one more landfall in Palawan before exiting the country.

A team of vaccine experts is poised to recommend reducing the waiting period between the second dose of COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots from six to three months.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III stated that the experts' recommendation will be forwarded to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a potential amendment to the emergency use authorization (EUA) of vaccines.

Despite the threat of Typhoon Odette, the second day of the national vaccination drive successfully administered nearly one million doses.

The Philippines achieved a milestone after tallying 100 million vaccinations, 10 months since starting its vaccination program.