Only 9% of vaccinees missed second dose of COVID-19 jab - DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) clarified on Thursday, June 3, that only nine percent of COVID-19 vaccine recipients in the country missed their second dose.
“According to the National COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center, actual numbers show that nine percent of people have deferred their second dose, roughly 113,000 individuals,” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in a statement.
“The most common reasons for such deferrals include: getting sick, getting exposed to someone positive for COVID-19, or undergoing quarantine,” she added.
The DOH made the clarification after data analyst Dr. John Wong said that about 50 percent of vaccine recipients, or around one million people, have not returned for their second dose’s scheduled appointment. Wong is a data analyst working for the government’s pandemic task force.
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“The reported missed schedules for second dose are estimates and based on certain assumptions,” said Vergeire.
“What was presented was part of an independent assessment of the vaccine prioritization of the national COVID-19 vaccination program. It validated our prioritization criteria and showed that prioritizing the health care workers, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities will save lives as they are the most at risk for hospitalization and death caused by COVID-19,” she added.
DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III assured that those who missed their scheduled second dose can still get vaccinated. He also reminded the public to complete the required doses for full protection against COVID-19.
“For our kababayans who missed their scheduled second dose, huwag kayong mangamba at maaari pa rin kayong makakuha ng inyong ikalawang dose (For our citizens who missed their scheduled second dose, don't worry because you can still get your second dose),” he said.
“In fact, we urge you to coordinate with your LGUs (local government units) to reschedule your vaccination,” he said.