The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) announced that it has completed the vaccination of the first batch of its frontliners against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which includes its Commandant, Maj. Gen. Ariel Caculitan.
In a statement Monday, March 22, Maj. Emery Torre, PMC spokesperson, said more than 1,000 Marines received their first dose of the CoronaVac vaccine from Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech. The vaccination of Marine frontliners was held at the Jurado Hall, Marine Barracks in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City from March 8 to 16.
"The vaccination program followed the priority allocation of COVID-19 vaccines," Torre assured.
He said that first to be inoculated were health service personnel from the Marine Corps Surgeon. They were followed by security personnel who are involved in a wide range of support operations; personnel aged 50 years old and above; those aged 40 to 50 years old; and those aged 40 years old and below.
"MGen. Caculitan encouraged everyone to get inoculated as soon as vaccines are available. He stressed that PMC personnel are free to choose their vaccine but advised to take whatever is available to avoid prolonging the pandemic," Torre said.
The Marines spokesperson said the first batch of those vaccinated will receive their second dose after 28 days or between the first and second week of April.
The national government launched the country's free vaccination program on March 1 as part of its efforts to eliminate the threat of COVID-19.
Under the government's priority list, medical frontliners who directly face the threat of coronavirus --even in the military-- should receive the first doses of available vaccines to give them an added layer of protection.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, ordered the 120,000-strong military to get vaccinated as they are considered as frontliners in the country's fight against the pandemic.