TACLOBAN CITY – At least 61 policemen assigned at the Regional Health Service in Palo town, Leyte have received the COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday.
Brigadier Gen. Ronaldo de Jesus, director of the Eastern Visayas police, said the inoculation will save lives and help slow down the spread of the coronavirus.
“The vaccine is our best protection against COVID-19. I look forward to having all Eastern Visayas policemen inoculated,” he said in a statement.
The inoculation of policemen with the AstraZeneca vaccine was led by Police Col. Perfecto Yu.
Before the policemen were given the vaccine, they first underwent registration, counseling, and screening.
Meanwhile, at least 1,447 personnel at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC), based in this city, have received the Sinovac vaccine.
Dr. Salvador Evardone, chief of hospital, said the number of hospital personnel who were vaccinated represents around 67 percent of their total 2,017 employees.
The low turnout, he said, could be attributed to the refusal of some personnel to be administered with the China-made vaccine.
“They prefer other brands, notably, AstraZeneca,” Evardone said.
He said the Department of Health promised to give them AstraZeneca vaccines.