PNP starts inoculation of personnel vs COVID-19 with Sinovac vaccines

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday started the inoculation of its Health Service personnel on the first day of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout in the country.

In a symbolic vaccination ceremony, the hospital’s Acting Chief Lieutenant Colonel Cleto Manongas, PNP Health Service head Police Brigadier General Luisito Magnaye,  and hospital’s Deputy Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Ona were among those who received Sinovac's CoronaVac.

Officials from the PNP roll up their sleeves for their Sinovac jab. Aside from P/BGen. Luisito Magnaye, the head of the PNP Health Service, the first two PNP officials to be vaccinated are doctors, Acting PNPGH Chief P/Lt.Col. Cleto Manongas and his deputy, P/Lt.Col Raymond Ona. pic.twitter.com/hwmv2iVs3O

— Raffy Tima (@raffytima) March 1, 2021

PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas said 800 PNP medical officers and healthcare frontliners will be among those to be inoculated. Of the number, only 200  are scheduled to receive the COVID-19 vaccines on Monday.

He added personnel who will be assigned to assist the Department of Health in administering the vaccine, the members of the PNP Medical Reserve Force, and other police frontliners will also be prioritized.

In his speech during the event, Sinas said the doctors who were assigned at the PNP General Hospital, quarantine facilities, and emergency treatment for the organization are also on the priority list.

The PNP chief directed all police personnel to avail of the COVID-19 vaccines.

“Tayo po ay very vulnerable kasi nga tayo po ay nangunguna sa pag-secure at pag-assist at baka ‘yung ibang mga health workers natin ay ma-task at tumulong mag-implement ng vaccine sa ibang lugar na kulang ang personnel natin doon,” he said.

“So assist them para ma-achieve natin ‘yung so called herd immunity sa ating lugar. Tulong tulong po tayo,” he added.

Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Bernardo Florece Jr. underscored the benefits of receiving the vaccines.

“What we attain from these vaccines? By taking these vaccines, first we prevent deaths, second we reduce those who are symptomatic. No. 3 we reduce the number of asymptomatic patients and No. 4 we prevent hospitalization. And so as I have said, we are very, very lucky," he said in his speech.

As of Monday, the PNP has recorded 11,343 cases of COVID-19 with 31 fatalities and 490 active cases.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA News