Parañaque senior citizens get free flu vaccine
MANILA, Philippines - The Parañaque city government held a flu immunization activity for its 3,428 senior citizens from 16 barangays recently as part of its health program for the elderly.
The flu mass vaccination program is timely, what with the onset of the rainy season when flu cases are on the rise. Parañaque health officer Dr. Olga Virtusio emphasized the importance of providing flu vaccines for the elderly as they are part of the vulnerable group. She adds, “At their age, they are prone to pneumonia and respiratory tract infections. They also have terrible asthma attacks. The vaccine prevents the occurrence of flu complications and strengthens the immune system.”
The Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) chairperson Dante Pacheco noted the rise in the number of immunization beneficiaries from below hundreds in the past to thousands this year. The Parañaque government, headed by Mayor Edwin Olivarez, teamed up with the Department of Social Welfare and Development in selecting and prioritizing the senior citizens who needed the most medical assistance.
It was the first time for Yonita Buyoc, 72, to receive a flu shot.
Dr. Virtusio cautioned that the vaccination needs to be done yearly as the vaccines have different strains every year in order to continuously combat diseases. Which is why Rosalinda Verdan, 65, along with her husband, makes sure to get annual flu shots.
The mass flu immunization was done in partnership with Sanofi Pasteur.
