Senior citizens, PWDs avail free pneumonia, flu vaccines

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – About 1,000 senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) from different barangays here availed free pneumonia and flu vaccination initiated by the city government, the Department of Health (DOH), and health care providers.

The activity dubbed “Bakunado si Lolo at Lola, Iwas Pulmonya” was held at the Bacolod Arts, Youth, and Sports (Bays) Center here Thursday, through the partnership with Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), which develops vaccines for the prevention of certain diseases as recommended by the DOH, and local medical societies such as the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) and the Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Disease.

Committed to strengthening programs focused on good governance in the health sector, health information and access to essential medicines, Bacolod City partners with global health care company MSD in the Philippines to restore vaccine confidence and address misinformation about immunization.

Dr. Jovy Vergara, assistant city health officer, said this initiative is to ensure the welfare and health of the senior citizens because they are more vulnerable to this type of illness due to their weakened immune system.

Pneumonia is a disease that causes inflammation of the air sacs in one or both lungs. It can be caused by a variety of organisms including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Pneumonia is most life-threatening for infants, the elderly, and people with health problems or weakened immune systems. Symptoms may include difficulty of breathing, coughing, fever, and weakness.

Vergara noted that based on the latest survey and findings, pneumonia is among the top 5 leading causes of sickness and death among elderly persons aged 60 and above. In 2018, the Bacolod City Health Office identified pneumonia as one of the leading causes of morbidity in the city.

“The level of the morbidity and mortality rates among our elders are too high when it comes to this type of illness,” he said.

The free vaccination is in support of the Regional Health Office. It also covers those persons who have Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), congestive heart failure, and the immunocompromised persons who undergo transplants.

The “Bakunado si Lolo at Lola, Iwas Pulmonya” campaign aims to educate senior citizens and caregivers on the value of immunization. The campaign promotes the life-course approach to vaccination to build a healthy citizenry.

Vergara said pneumonia can be prevented if the elders will consult their physicians as early as possible.

“This can be lethal and life-threatening among the senior citizens compared to young adults, that’s why prevention is very vital,” he added.

Meanwhile, Edgardo Superticioso, president of Federation of Senior Citizens Association of Bacolod, expressed his gratitude to the city government, DOH, and other partners for also prioritizing them through the said health program.

He said that about 35 elderly persons here die every month, and most of the casualties suffered from pneumonia.

“Through the said program, the number of deaths caused by pneumonia will lessen, and the elders will be more aware of the proper health care,” he added.

For her part, Councilor Cindy Rojas, chairperson of the Committee on Health, expressed her gratitude to MSD and other partners which supported the efforts of the government.

This is a manifestation that the senior citizens are not being neglected by the government,” she said, as she urged others to avail the different services being offered by the government such as the immunization for their welfare.

Also in the activity were Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran who represented Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Councilor Archie Baribar, chairman of the Committee on Senior Citizens, City Health Officer Ma. Carmela Gensoli, and Dr. Hygeia Mampao-Tipon, who talked about pneumonia, its causes, symptoms, and preventive measures.