In an exit poll conducted during a Vaccination Town Hall Meeting with Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officers, 84% of the fire and jail officers in Luzon are ready to get a COVID-19 vaccine; 12% are not sure, and only 4% are not likely to get vaccinated.
This was revealed by DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan E. Malaya, who challenged the senior officers from both bureaus to be among the government’s COVID-19 national vaccination program champions.
He said that the uniformed personnel of both the BFP and BJMP should take the lead in relaying the correct information to their personnel and the public about vaccination benefits. The two agencies should be working closely with the DOH and LGUs to prepare for the rollout and spread accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccines.
“Inaasahan natin na ating mga kasamahang bumbero at jail officers na maging aktibong kabahagi natin sa ating kampanya para mabakunahan ang 75-milyong adult Filipinos sa ating bansa,” Malaya said.
He said that they would be conducting more of these webinars with the PNP, BFP, and BJMP because acceptance of the vaccination program significantly improves once the participants hear directly from health professionals.
Speaking before the Town Hall Meeting, a webinar organized with the Department of Health, he said, “This will be the largest vaccination program the country has ever implemented; thus it is imperative to harness mass communication in gaining the trust and confidence of the public,” he added.
“Lahat tayo ay bida at bahagi ng solusyon. Patuloy tayong magtulungan para matagumpay nating maisagawa ang kampanya sa COVID-19 vaccines sa buong bansa,” Malaya said as he called for “displina para umangat mula sa pandemya.”
The DILG Spokesperson also expressed solidarity with partner agencies and the private sector, who have been their allies in the fight against the virus. He compared the COVID-19 death rate in the US of more than 500,000 to the Philippines’ 11,000+ and said we have succeeded in controlling the transmission rate.
Citing the UP Octa Research Group’s January findings, Malaya said that 24% to 40% of Filipinos refuse to be vaccinated because they doubt their efficacy and safety. “All vaccines, regardless of brand, are safe and effective as long as it is approved by the FDA (Food and Drugs Authority),” Malaya said.
(DILG-PR)
