Over 18 million people in the Philippines have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), data from the national government showed.

Based on the government's COVID-19 vaccination dashboard, a total of 18,475,950 people already completed the required vaccine dosage as of Sept. 18.

A total of 22,771,602 people were already partially vaccinated.

Of the fully vaccinated, more than 2.17 million were healthcare workers, 4.26 million were senior citizens, six million were persons with comorbidities, 4.58 million were essential workers, and 1.45 million were indigents.

For the partially vaccinated, 2.50 million were healthcare workers, 3.49 million were senior citizens, 5.76 million were persons with comorbidities, 8.47 million were essential workers, and 2.53 million were indigents.

Sputnik V second dose

Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje, meanwhile, assured that those who received their first dose of Sputnik V vaccine will get their second dose starting next week.

“Magandang balita. Dumating na po yung ating Sputnik V Gamaleya component 2. So yung naghihintay ng kanilang second dose ay mabibigyan na (Good news. The second component of Sputnik V Gamaleya vaccine has already arrived. So those who are waiting for their second dose will be given)---- latest early next week,” she said in an interview over radio DZBB on Sunday, Sept. 19.

The second dose of Sputnik V vaccine can still be given up to six months after the administration of the first dose, said Cabotaje.

“Ang nasa emergency use authorization from 12 to 42 days. Yung iba medyo lumampas na but the experts are saying pwede pa iyan hanggang three to six months. Mataas naman ang efficacy rate ng Sputnik component one (Based on its emergency use authorization, the recommended dosing interval is from 12 to 42 days. But the experts are saying that the second dose can still be given up to three to six months. The efficacy rate of Sputnik component one is high),” said Cabotaje.