With the rise of cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) and the threat of mpox, health experts are now calling on the Department of Health (DOH) to expedite the procurement of flu vaccines.
Latest data from the DOH shows there were 114,127 ILI cases from January 1 to August 12, or a 52-percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Dr. Lulu Bravo, Vaccine Expert and Executive Director of the Philippine Foundation on Vaccines, emphasized the need for timely vaccine distribution to protect the elderly.
“Our seniors cannot afford to be left exposed and vulnerable,” Bravo said, noting that 67.1 percent of influenza-related deaths occur annually in adults aged 60 and above.
“Every day without these vaccines increases their risk, particularly during the rainy season and with the added threat of mpox. Protecting their health should be our top priority,” Bravo added.
Roderick Alapar, lead convenor of the grassroots organization Bayan Bakuna, also called for urgent action, urging lawmakers in Congress and the Senate to ensure senior citizens receive the vaccines they are entitled to.
“The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 mandates their protection, and it’s crucial that they receive the flu vaccines now,” Alapar said.
“We cannot allow our seniors to suffer from a vaccine-preventable illness like influenza, especially during this critical period,” he emphasized.
Both Bravo and Alapar stressed the importance of accelerating flu vaccine procurement, highlighting that influenza can exacerbate chronic conditions and lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, stroke, and heart attack.
Photo Courtesy: PhilStar Global
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