NATIONAL Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, Major General Vicente D. Danao Jr. yesterday said that over 97 percent of the Metro Manila police force have been fully vaccinated to greatly reduce their chances of catching the COVID-19 virus.

The official said that at present, 22,384 or 97.14 percent of Team NCRPO are already fully inoculated while 475 or 2.04 percent have already gotten their 1st dose of the vaccine.

Danao said they are already close to their vision of having a 100 percent vaccination standard among their men if not for the presence of 192 or 0.83 percent who were unable to get the vaccine due to medical condition and other reasonable circumstances.

The Metro Manila police director said that the total number of personnel who tested positive for the virus after being fully vaccinated is very low as compared to those who are unvaccinated.

He explained that of out of the 22,394-strong Metro Manila police force, only 206 or 0.95 percent contracted the virus since the government launched its massive inoculation program.

Danao said that only eight or 0.82 percent of the 22,384 fully-vaccinated

NCRPO men contracted the virus while 14 or 2.95 percent of those who have already gotten their 1st dose got the disease.

In contrast, there are 95 out of the 192 NCRPO personnel – or 49.48 percent – who are yet to get the vaccine due to medical condition and other reasonable circumstances.

The Metro Manila police chief has promoted the government vaccination project in the NCRPO knowing fully well that present data reveals that vaccination not only protects the person receiving the vaccine himself but also his family and community as a whole after these vaccines were proven safe and effective to reduce the chances of getting infected and later passing on the infection to others.

He said that this finding was scientifically established following numerous studies conducted by competent health organizations both here and abroad.

Unfortunately, Danao said that fake and unfounded news about the vaccine previously circulated causing doubt and confusion about the efficiency of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Among this is the misconception that the vaccine’s protection will be outweighed by alleged side effects that have no medical basis whatsoever.

He cited information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization which concurred on the importance of vaccination and its indispensable share to end the global health crisis brought by the COVID-19 disease.

“We enjoin everyone to keep your faith and trust in our government and healthcare system in order for us to conquer the hurdles brought by this pandemic. These vaccines remain to be our last hope to finally get ourselves and our children back to the normal way of life prior to this crisis,” Danao said.

The official also reminded the public that spreading fake news is a crime prohibited under Republic Act 11649.

“We will find those who deliberately and maliciously spread misinformation and likewise reiterate to the public our reminder to put your safety and your family’s protection first. Get vaccinated,” Danao said.