Free anti-pneumonia shots for seniors

THE Cebu City government administered free anti-pneumonia vaccines to 10 pre-selected senior citizens yesterday as part of its campaign to reduce pneumonia cases in the city.

Cebu City Health Officer Dr. Stella Ygonia said 100 of the city’s elderly died of pneumonia last year or 20 more than the previous year.

Cebu City received 1,000 vials of anti-pneumonia vaccines with an additional 10,000 to be given anytime, she said.

“But this will not be enough.  The Department of Health (DOH) supply is still inadequate. That is why we are working this out,” Ygonia said.

The vaccines were distributed by the DOH and Department of Interior and Local Governments.

Ygonia said the Cebu City government is considering the purchase of  more  anti-pneumonia vaccines for the elderly next year.

A separate purchase for anti-pneumonia vaccines  is  being considered for babies aged 0 to 1 years old to  be made available for free in health centers in Cebu City.

An anti-pneumonia shot would  cost up to P1,500 in private clinics and is effective for  five years.

The city government wants to expand the program to cover more beneficiaries.

Representatives from Merck and Co. were at the mayor’s office at City Hall yesterday to make a product offer and witness the pre-vaccinations for the senior citizens.

Ygonia said they are considering as  many offerss as they could get in order to choose the best product that would meet  Cebu City’s requirements for anti-pneumonia vaccines. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac