VMMC, DND start COVID-19 vaccination of personnel with Sinovac vaccines

The vaccination against COVID-19 of personnel of Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) and the Department of National Defense (DND) started at the hospital in Quezon City on Monday, the first day of vaccine rollout in the country.

In a symbolic vaccination, the first shots with Sinovac's vaccine were administered to VMMC nursing supervisor Gemma Dr. Colcol, hospital spokesperson Dr. Johann Giovanni Mea, and then followed by other officials and personnel.

#BantayBakuna: Unang araw ng vaccination program sa Veterans Memorial Medical Center. | via @ralphobina pic.twitter.com/VHrEdF8ZUM

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 1, 2021

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles were among the government officials who attended the event.

Personnel of DND were also set to receive shots on Monday, the DND said. Some of them will be vaccinated at the V. Luna Medical Center in Quezon City.

From the 600,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine that arrived in the country on Sunday—a donation by the Chinese government to the Philippines—100,000 doses were earmarked for the military and the Department of National Defense.

Initially, at least 14,520 personnel will be inoculated using 29,040 doses, while the remaining 70,960 doses will be given to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In his speech during the event, Lorenzana underscored the efficacy and safety of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine, which is the first such vaccine that officially arrived in the country.

"We have to listen to what science is telling us as it is the only evidence that will get us out of this pandemic," he said.

"Let us all work together and pray for the healing of our country. Sa ating patuloy na pagbabayanihan, sama-sama natin pagtagumpayan ang ating laban kontra COVID-19," Lorenzana added.

Nograles, meanwhile, reminded medical frontliners of their influence on the public given their knowledge of vaccines.

“Once again, as heroes of this battle, let's take that extra mile. Let's take that giant leap. You have the science, the medical knowledge, and know-how that there is no other way except to take this vaccine, whatever brand it is. And let us also stomp out any prejudice or bias against any brand,” he said in his speech.

Aside from VMMC and V. Luna Medical Center, the priority hospitals for vaccination are the Philippine General Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium (Tala Hospital), PNP General Hospital, and Pasig City General Hospital. —KG, GMA News