30 Navy personnel inoculated as country’s vaccination program rolls out
By PN / Photo file
NAVAL STATION JOSE ANDRADA, Manila, Mar. 2 — The Philippine Navy (PN) has started inoculating its frontline personnel against COVID-19 in a symbolic vaccination conducted today, March 2 at the Jurado Hall in Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
The commanding officer of Manila Naval Hospital, Col. Pura Lyn Epres spearheaded the administration of the initial vaccine dosage to 30 PN hospital and health service frontliners headed by the first vaccinee, acting Chief Surgeon Navy, Col. Reynaldo Capuz who was inoculated by DOH regional director, Dr. Corazon Flores. These individuals who carry out anti-COVID-19 operations were prioritized to receive the limited first batch of available vaccines but the command endeavors to inoculate all its personnel upon the availability of more dosages.
Taguig City’s Second District Representative Lani Cayetano witnessed this ceremonial inoculation along with PN flag officer in command, Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo and representatives from DILG, Assistant Secretary Ester Aldana and public affairs director Marlo Guanzon.
Navy chief Bacordo described today’s event as “truly monumental for the Philippine Navy because it marks the beginning of the implementation of the government’s national vaccination program in the PN, which is expected to be in full swing in the coming weeks.”
“The Philippine Navy is one with the national government and the DOH in protecting and saving Filipino people’s health and lives. We also need this vaccine for us to be able to do our job and we will have them very soon…Little by little, step by step, we can and we will overcome this COVID-19 pandemic together” added Bacordo.
This ceremony manifested the Navy’s full support to the government’s vaccination program which rollout heralded the much-awaited chapter in the country’s journey toward healing as one. It further aimed to help increase the public’s level of confidence and allay fear to take COVID-19 vaccines. (PN)
