‘Get vaccinated vs super flu’

MANILA, Philippines — An infectious disease expert yesterday urged the public to avail themselves of updated flu vaccines to have better protection from the super flu detected in the country last year.

According to Dr. Rontgene Solante, this super flu or A(H3N2) subclade K case is “more aggressive because of mutations.”

“This means the vaccine’s effectivity is lessened because of (virus) mutations. That is why more people infect each other, more are getting sick particularly those who aren’t vaccinated,” Solante said in a radio interview.

Solante advised the vulnerable population, the elderly and those with comorbidities that once this flu vaccine becomes available by February or March, they should get vaccinated.

Solante warned that this super flu can lead to mortality including complications in the heart and brain.

Data from the Department of Health showed that there were 41 super flu cases detected in the country.