Immunization efforts against other infectious diseases such as the flu is just one of the disrupted activities as the country is facing a health crisis.
This disruption in immunization is feared to increase the chances of a flu outbreak, an illness that affects over 480,000 Filipinos annually. In the Philippines, around 70 percent of households have children below 15 years of age, and they are considered one of the most susceptible groups to the influenza virus.
To remind Filipinos of the threat of the flu and its complications, the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV), through a webinar called “Fortify Your Child’s Health,” urged all parents to continue flu vaccination to keep children protected.
“Children are one of the high-risk groups in contracting the flu virus, which can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and heart failure, as their immune system is still developing,” Dr. Joselyn Eusebio said in the webinar.
Dr. Eusebio said that it is essential that the children will continue getting their flu shots “especially now that the flu season is upon us.
Filipino parents have concerns on the accessibility of the flu vaccine, especially while many parts of the Philippines are still under quarantine and have travel restrictions.
However, Dr. Eusebio mentioned that many doctors have already taken important steps to ensure that the public can still get their annual flu shots.
“Despite the challenges that the pandemic brings, many doctors have taken the initiative to continue vaccination to prevent outbreaks of other diseases.” Dr. Eusebio added.
The webinar also assured parents about the safety and effectiveness of flu vaccines.
For her part, Dr. Anna Ong-Lim said that the flu vaccine has already been proven to be safe and effective against the influenza virus.
In fact, she stressed, the World Health Organization promotes widespread immunization through vaccination as it is one of the most cost-effective and most successful health interventions we have.
“Before it is given to the public, vaccines undergo multiple stringent testing to ensure its safety and effectiveness. It is also constantly monitored and studied even after it is certified for public use,” said Dr. Ong -Lim, a Philippine Pediatric Society fellow and Infectious Disease expert.
Meanwhile, PFV President Dr. Liza Gonzales recognized that Covid-19 has made Filipinos extra vigilant when it comes to health, but the spotlight on the virus has overshadowed illnesses that have been affecting many Filipinos for years.
“While Covid-19 is a pervasive problem here in the Philippines, we must not forget that there are still many infectious diseases that can severely affect our well-being,” she said.
She pointed that the country is very fortunate that the is a vaccine for the flu and that “it is best to maximize its availability to keep our children protected.”
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