PNP camps, medical teams ready for nationwide vax drive
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos on Saturday said they will open their camps as venues for the three-day national vaccination drive by the government on Monday to Wednesday next week.
The top cop said that as the government steps up its effort to inoculate more Filipinos against the COVID-19 from November 29 to December 1, they will also take the lead role in securing the areas where the nationwide vaccination drive will be held simultaneously.
The National Vaccination Days will allow a massive approach to administer vaccine doses in an initiative dubbed as “Bayanihan Bakunahan” in which the Department of Health (DOH) targets to vaccinate 15 more Filipinos.
“These days are vital in our battle against this unseen lethal enemy. Aside from our deployment of personnel, we also offer our police regional headquarters as vaccination sites,” said Carlos as he emphasized that he has ordered his men to ensure that minimum health safety protocols specifically the wearing of face masks and face shields and observance of physical distancing will be fully observed in their facilities.
Other PNP camps are also authorized provided that they have sufficient and qualified medical personnel to administer the inoculations, he said.
The PNP has mustered some 5,000 PNP personnel with medical-related education background into the PNP Medical Reserve Force (MRF), 300 of whom have received formal training from DOH as vaccinators.
PNP Health Service director, Brigadier Gen. Antonino R. Cirujales said that they will be fielding their vaccinators in Laguna, Pampanga and Camp Bagong Diwa. The official said that members of the PNP-MRF will be working to help in the three-day vaccination drive.
Through its available grassroots network, the PNP will also help in inviting the public to avail of the three-day vaccination drive.
According to DOH data, there are a total of 30.4 million Filipinos who have been fully vaccinated. This is just a 39.4 percent turnout from the target adult population, said a PNP press statement.
