Bolstering the drive to uplift the lives of its senior citizens, the local government of Angeles City in Pampanga is supporting flu prevention through free vaccinations for the benefit of thousands of its elderly residents.
Held at the covered court EPZA Pulung Cacutud, Angeles City, the activity was part of the ongoing city-wide program dubbed Serbisyong Pangkalusugan Para Kay Lolo at Lola, which provides education on health and wellness of the senior citizens.
Included in this campaign was an awareness activity to increase the immunization uptake of influenza or “trangkaso” in Filipino.
Supporting the activities were officers and medical team from the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination and the Philippine College of Geriatric Medicine (PCGM).
The city is part of Region 3, which has the second highest number of senior citizens according to a 2015 population census. This fact highlights the need for more intensified health campaigns in cooperation with various sectors, according to Pampanga 1st District Rep. Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II.
“Improving the wellbeing of our elderly residents is one of the priority thrusts for us in Angeles City,” Rep. Lazatin said.
“Free flu vaccination is one of our regular undertakings as we want to raise the awareness on the importance of preventing pneumonia and other complications caused by the influenza virus, especially among our valued Angeleño elderlies. We are proud to partner with different institutions to maintain the success of our health programs,” he added.
PCGM President Dr. Edwin Fortuno said the elderly are among the most susceptible to the influenza virus.
“Seasonal flu related hospitalizations and deaths predominantly hit those who are 65 years and older,” he added. “Those who contract flu at that age will most likely experience complications that can lead to severe pneumonia, dehydration and exacerbation of chronic conditions like heart disease and asthma that can possibly result in hospitalization and death.”
PCGM also cited the World Health Organization’s recommendation for the elderly to get their influenza vaccination annually.
The mass vaccination in Angeles City was also overseen by Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin together with the participation of members and officers from the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).
PCGM urged more Filipinos nationwide to take flu virus seriously as it leads to often fatal complications not just in the elderly but also particularly among infants and young children as well as adults with compromised immune systems brought about by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD), emphysema, and asthma, among others.
Getting vaccinated against flu is the best way to protect oneself against the flu and prevent its spread, PCGM also said. It takes about two weeks following vaccination for protective antibodies to form. WHO also states that flu vaccines are safe and effective and have been used for more than 60 years.