SEVERAL senior citizens from the village of San Nicolas in the City of San Fernando received free vaccination against pneumonia.
This, after the local government unit, through the City Health Office, launched its pneumococcal vaccination program on Tuesday, February 2, to prevent the spread of pneumonia among the elderly.
Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines (PPSV) are given to adults, aged 60 years and above, who are prone to age-related impairment of the immune system.
Aylmer Alimurong, City Health Promotion officer, stressed the importance of getting anti-pneumonia shots.
"Binibigay natin yung [pneumococcal vaccines] lalo na pag season ng tag-init at taglamig wherein mataas yung case ng pneumonia and binibigay natin ito sa specific target population natin which is isa po yung mga senior citizens para maprotektahan sila laban sa sakit na pneumonia," Alimurong said.
"Rest assured na lahat ng bakunang binibigay ng [City Health Office] at LGU ay safe. Ang importante lang talaga ina-assess natin sino ang pwede at sino ang dapat mabigyan at i-prioritize this pandemic," he added.
Dr. Rowena Salas, Rural Health Unit 4 physician, led the inoculation.
"Isa po itong proteksyon and this will also help boost their immune system against the virus and various diseases. Pero di porket may bakuna po tayo, hindi po ibig sabihin na pwede na tayong mag relax. Kailangang sundin pa rin po ang minimum health standards at wag nating ipag walang bahala ang kalusugan natin. Gawing practice ang pag-iingat mula sa bahay hanggang sa paglabas," Salas reminded the seniors.
Salas also thanked the residents who voluntarily participated in the program to get their anti/pneumonia shots.
"Maraming salamat po sa pagpunta ninyo dito. Malaking suporta po ito at patunay na may awareness at good health-seeking behavior po tayo kasi kailangan po natin talaga ito para sa kalusugan at kaligtasan natin," she said.
The CHO had allotted about 2,300 pneumonia vaccines and piloted with limited beneficiaries per community before eventually expanding to cover all barangays.
Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin graced the event and expressed his gratitude to the seniors who put their trust in the local government and supported the LGU's programs through the leadership of Mayor Edwin Santiago.
Alongside the pneumococcal vaccination program, the LGU also launched Tuesday the Measles-Rubella vaccination drive, a regular program of the CHO in partnership with the Department of Health.
Measles-Rubella vaccination program aims to protect children from zero to less than five years old from measles and rubella.
The CHO further urged all Fernandino parents to register their children for Measles-Rubella shots in their respective Health Centers until February 28, 2021. (PR)