The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it will also deploy its Medical Reserve Force (MRF) to help speed up the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination drive in some areas that may require assistance.
PNP chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said MRF personnel will be among the close to 50,000 police officers who will be deployed to assist in the transportation of vaccines nationwide and help enforce minimum public health safety protocols in different vaccination sites nationwide, upon the order of Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.
“Kasama sa ide-deploy ng PNP ang ating Medical Reserve Force. Handa na rin po lahat ng PNP assets, kabilang dito ang ating fast boats at helicopters, para sa pagdadala ng bakuna sa iba’t-ibang panig ng bansa (in preparation for the national vaccine rollout, our Medical Reserve Force will be included in the deployment. All PNP assets, including our fast boats and helicopters, are also ready for the delivery of the vaccine to various parts of the country),” Eleazar said in a statement.
The MRF, formed at the height of the pandemic last year, is composed of police officers who are graduates of medicine and health-related courses.
“Kailangan maiparating natin itong bakuna sa lahat ng mga residente, kahit doon sa pinakamalalayong lugar. Lahat po tayo ay kailangang maproteksyunan laban sa nakamamatay na coronavirus (We need to deliver this vaccine to all residents, even in the most remote areas. We all need to be protected against the deadly coronavirus),” said Eleazar.
He also assured that police personnel who will be deployed for vaccination activities will be provided protective gear, vitamins, and supplements so they would have protection against Covid-19.
The country’s vaccination drive is seen to get a boost with the expected arrival of the bulk of Covid-19 jabs in June.
On June 6, 1 million doses of China’s Sinovac are expected to arrive in the country while 2.2 million doses of US-made Pfizer jabs are arriving in two batches on June 7 and 11.
Moderna vaccines, also from the US, are scheduled for delivery on June 21.
On Sunday night, 50,000 doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccines arrived in the country. (PNA)
