WITH the Philippines bracing for more typhoons in the final months of the year, health advocates called for immediate action to protect older adults from illnesses that thrive in cold, wet weather, particularly influenza-like illnesses.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Cristina Ignacio-Alberto, the founder of Hope in Me Club, a civic organization dedicated to senior health advocacy, highlighted the gravity of the situation for older adults.
“Flu is one of the deadliest threats to our aging population, with influenza-related mortality affecting 67.1 percent of those over 60 due to weakened immune systems,” said Ignacio-Alberto.
“The annual flu shot is the most effective way to prevent severe illness and hospitalization, especially during typhoon season when the incidence of respiratory illnesses tends to spike,” she added.
Ignacio-Alberto, along with other health advocates, commended the Department of Health (DoH) for its plan to distribute five million doses of flu vaccines to senior citizens nationwide by the end of the year.
The initiative, which was first announced by the DoH last July, is part of the government’s broader effort to protect senior citizens under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act (Republic Act 9994). Under this law, the DoH allocated five million doses specifically for seniors, with vaccines being administered through local health centers. Health experts and community leaders also welcomed the initiative, which is expected to be completed by the end of December.
According to Ignacio-Alberto, seniors, especially those with pre-existing health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses, are at higher risk for complications from the flu. With the onset of the rainy season and the likelihood of late-year typhoons, advocates stress the importance of timely vaccination.
“During typhoon season, the spread of diseases like influenza can become even more rampant due to the cold, wet environment and overcrowding in evacuation centers,” she explained. “This vaccine rollout comes at a critical time when we are concerned about the potential for more severe outbreaks, and we are hopeful that it will provide much-needed protection for seniors.”
Bayan Bakuna lead convenor Roderick Alapar said that the free flu vaccination program would not only help protect seniors from the flu but also prevent hospitalizations that could overwhelm local health care facilities during peak typhoon season.
“Flu vaccines are a vital line of defense, especially for those in high-risk groups, and we’re glad that the government has prioritized this,” Alapar said.
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