Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 1) — Metro Manila was not able to reach its goal of fully vaccinating half of its population against COVID-19 by the end of August, according to government data.
Data from the Department of Health – shared by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos – showed about 45.82% or 4,500,510 of the National Capital Region’s eligible residents have completed their vaccine doses as of August 31.
Meanwhile, 8,009,042 or 81.72% have gotten their first dose. These numbers combined show that 12,509,552 vaccines have been administered in the area so far.
The eligible population comprises 9,800,000 persons, or 70% of NCR’s 14 million residents.
COVID-19 task force deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon earlier expressed confidence that the total vaccination rate in Metro Manila will reach 50% or population protection by the end of August.
On Tuesday, NCR recorded the highest number of new cases among all areas with 3,515. Despite this, its reproduction rate – or the number of people infected by a single case – went down to 1.43 from 1.56 the previous week, OCTA research fellow Guido David said. At this rate, OCTA projects that Metro Manila’s reproduction number could decrease to less than 1 or moderate level in three weeks.
