HEALTH advocates urged the Department of Health (DoH) to expedite the procurement of flu vaccines following the declaration of mpox as a global health emergency and the rising cases of influenza-like illnesses.
Dr. Lulu Bravo, vaccine expert and executive director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, said the DoH had yet to fulfill its mandate to protect the elderly through the vaccine rollout.
“Our seniors cannot afford to be left exposed and vulnerable,” said Bravo. “Every day that passes without these vaccines puts them at greater risk, especially with the ongoing rainy season and the threat of mpox. Their health and well-being should be our top priority.”
The DoH’s latest disease surveillance report showed 114,127 influenza-like cases from January 1 to August 12, a 52-percent increase over the same period last year.
Bravo said the alarming rise underscored the urgency of the situation.
She added that influenza could worsen symptoms of other chronic diseases, and severe cases could lead to pneumonia, stroke and heart attack.
Bravo underscored the urgency of rolling out flu vaccines, saying that 67.1 percent of influenza-associated deaths in the country occur in adults 60 years and above.
Senior grassroots organization Bayan Bakuna also reiterated its call for immediate action by Congress to protect the seniors.
Roderick Alapar, Bayan Bakuna lead convenor, said that Republic Act (RA) 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, mandates the protection of the elderly.
“We cannot stand by and allow our seniors to suffer the severe consequences of a vaccine-preventable illness like influenza, especially during such a critical time,” Alapar said.
Bayan Bakuna aims to promote the welfare of the elderly through legislation.
The group recently released a position paper advocating the implementation of RA 9994, and requiring free influenza and pneumococcal vaccination for indigent senior citizens.
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