(UPDATE) Local authorities can extend their operations for National Vaccination Days until Dec. 3 to sustain the momentum in administering jabs, the National Task Force Against COVID-19 said, as the world prepared for the spread of the Omicron variant.
The government aims to vaccinate nine million Filipinos during the three-day event that ended Wednesday. Some local officials asked for an extension, the task force said.
While they are not holidays, except for Nov. 30, those who want to get vaccinated are authorized to take a leave from work, according to government guidelines.
"To sustain the momentum of the operations of the NVD and to take advantage of the interest of constituents towards vaccination, the LGUs are allowed to extend the operations of the Bayanihan, Bakunahan National COVID-19 Vaccination Days until Dec. 3, 2021," the task force said Wednesday.
Based on initial reports, 7,628,432 doses were administered during the three-day program, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said during the Laging Handa press briefing on Thursday.
The second leg of the government's biggest vaccination program will be held on Dec. 15-17, 2021, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez said earlier.
GUIDE: How to Get Jabbed on National Vaccine Days