Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has appealed to the public to get vaccinated against Covid-19, after data showed the government was far behind its immunisation targets as it battles one of Asia's worst and longest-running outbreaks, according to Reuters.

"I invite all our countrymen to be vaccinated at the earliest possible opportunity because this is the most, if not the only way, effective way, to defeat the Covid-19 pandemic," Duterte said in a televised address.

"Let us all keep in mind that the vaccine will not only protect you from the virus, it will also protect your loved ones, especially the sick and elderly."