The Philippines still needs to fully vaccinate at least nine million Filipinos against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to hit its inoculation target for this year.

Based on the data from the National Vaccination dashboard as of Dec. 20, the country has so far fully vaccinated 44,212,255 individuals since its COVID-19 vaccination program started last March.

The Department of Health (DOH) is targeting to fully vaccinate 54 million Filipinos by year-end.

To achieve this goal, DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said they are planning to utilize the single-shot Janssen COVID-19 vaccines that were delivered in the country.

"We are looking at using all the nine million na dumating para maka-reach tayo na 54 million. Pero alam natin na kailangan na doble, tripleng effort especially in many areas, babawian natin iyong hindi nagbabakuna doon sa areas na hindi nasalanta ng bagyo (We are looking at using all the nine million that were delivered so we can reach the 54 million. But we know that we need to double or triple our effort, especially in many areas. We will put more effort in areas not affected by the typhoon)," said Cabotaje during a public press briefing on Tuesday, Dec. 21.

Also, Cabotaje said that all DOH regional offices were instructed to look for individuals who are yet to receive their second dose.

“Pinag-usapan natin lahat ng ating mga regional offices na talagang tingnan ano ba iyong mga due second dose sa mga iba’t ibang area para hanapin at tingnan na mai-jab iyong kanilang mga second doses. Kasama din po iyong adbokasiya, pagpapa-remind sa mga tao na kailangang bumalik para sa kanilang second dose (We talked to all our regional offices to really look due second doses. Also included in our advocacy is to remind people that they need to come back for their second dose),” she said.

Some areas in Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas and Caraga---which were affected by typhoon Odette---will resume their vaccination efforts, said Cabotaje.

“Many of them are starting on next week, so ang ating pakiusap ay kahit Sabado at Linggo, kasi Christmas ngayon may break tayo ng 24, 25, 26, i-ramp up nila kung saan puwedeng bilisan at damihan (Many of them are starting next week, so our request is even on Saturdays and Sundays, because this Christmas we have a break ---on 24, 25, 26---- to ramp up efforts and speed up the vaccination),” she said.

The DOH official still expressed optimism that the government will reach its year-end goal.

“With some difficulty but we are still optimistic to meet the 54 million at the end of this year,” said Cabotaje.