Philippine Orthopedic Center urges faster vaccine rollout as COVID-19 hits staff

The Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC) is asking the government to increase vaccination rollout in the country following the sudden rise of virus infections among its workers.

In a television interview, POC officer-in-charge Michael Bengzon said COVID-19 protocols helped prevent the spread of the virus but ramping up vaccination would also boost Filipinos' protection from COVID-19.

"We have been receiving a lot of face masks, PPE [personal protective equipment] from numerous government and non-government donors. What I'm sure would have helped not only for us, everyone else in the country, is increased vaccinations because vaccines are an extra level of protection," Bengzon said on ANC.

"Vaccine is an internal layer of protection, once you are vaccinated, you must still continue with the COVID precautions and I think once people are vaccinated, the quicker both internal and external protection will be enforced," the POC official added.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, who was also present in the television interview, said they will look into the POC's request for increased vaccinations.

"Paparating natin yan sa DOH (Department of Health), dahil alam niyo naman ang order of vaccination sa priority list but I understand dahil matindi diyan sa Orthopedic Center perhaps an exception might be made. We will relay this to (Health) Sec (Francisco) Duque (III) within the day," said Roque.

Currently, POC, which serves 350 to 450 patients a day, recorded 146 active cases of coronavirus  disease infections among its health workers.

To date, the nationwide's total COVID-19 caseload surpassed the 800,000 mark. This includes 13,435 fatalities and 646,237 recoveries. --NB, GMA News