The second national vaccination drive of the Philippines, which was postponed in areas hit by typhoon “Odette,” surpassed its target number of vaccinees, Malacañang said on Monday.

Acting Palace spokesman Karlo Nograles said 7,497,802 Covid-19 vaccine doses were administered from Dec. 15 to 23.

“We thank our kababayans for their cooperation and for the steps they have taken to protect themselves, their families and their communities,” Nograles said in a statement.

“We likewise commend our medical frontliners, vaccinators, and volunteers for their sacrifice, dedication and service to the country,” he added.

The government initially targeted to administer 7,326,613 jabs from Dec. 15 to 17, the original dates of the Bayanihan Bakunahan vaccination drive.

But due to “Odette,” the schedule of the vaccination drive was stretched.

Calabarzon recorded the highest number of jabs during the vaccination drive with 1,244,191. Region 3 and Region 6 followed, with 919,822 and 658,805 jabs administered, respectively.

As of Dec. 26, the Philippines has administered 105,412,678 Covid-19 vaccine doses. John Ezekiel J. Hirro