1M seniors target of vaccine bid

DAVAO CITY—The health department administered antipneumonia vaccines to at least 600 senior citizens here in a campaign that a top health official said was meant to achieve universal healthcare.

The vaccination program, according to outgoing Health Secretary Janette Garin, who was the guest of honor at the launch of the campaign here, seeks to protect seniors nationwide from the ravages of pulmonary diseases.

Pneumonia, according to Garin, is one of the top killer diseases afflicting seniors.

She said while the vaccine is not expensive, many senior citizens have not been administered with it for reasons other than costs.

“In previous years, our pneumonia vaccines for senior citizens were limited only to indigent patients,” said Garin.

“We don’t look at that as really effective. The vaccine will be more effective if all senior citizens will be vaccinated,” Garin said.

She said her department wanted to distribute the vaccines not only to those who can buy these, but to poor seniors. “This is our goal in attaining universal healthcare,” said Garin.

The Department of Health target, Garin said, is to vaccinate a million senior citizens nationwide.

She said senior citizens could get free antipneumonia vaccines in health centers.

Seniors need to bring only valid ID cards to get the vaccines. Joselle R. Badilla, Inquirer Mindanao