PNP to deploy medical reserve force for COVID-19 vaccine rollout

The Philippine National Police will deploy its medical reserve force during the rollout of COVID-19 vaccination in the country, its spokesperson Police Brigadier General Ildebrandi Usana said on Tuesday.

In a radio interview, Usana said that the organization still cannot ascertain the total number of personnel to be deployed for the purpose.

“Ready na po ang mga PNP. So ang pulis po meron po kaming medical reserve force na ide-deploy sa iba't ibang mga lugar,” Usana said.

He noted that the PNP will coordinate with the Department of Health to have them undergo training.

“Alam naman po natin ang ating mga mga health professionals maaaring kulang if we are to spread them sa iba't ibang lugar,” Usana said.

“Kung sakali man po sa mga medical reserve force sila po ay  mag-a-administer ng vaccination sa iba-iba pong mga lugar dito po sa Pilipinas,” he added.

Despite the involvement of the police in the inoculation rollout, Usana said that the rest of the personnel will remain focused on security and public safety.

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. earlier said that some 25,000 people are undergoing training to administer COVID-19 vaccines to Filipinos.

The inoculation rollout is expected to start soon as 117,000 doses of vaccines from Pfizer under COVAX facility are expected to arrive.

The Philippine government targets to vaccinate some 50 to 70 million Filipinos against COVID-19 this year. — BM, GMA News