Chest doctors advocate flu vaccination among elderly

MANILA, Philippines - As people age, the risk of acquiring certain diseases increases which can be attributed to the weakening of the immune system.

One disease that is a threat to the elderly is flu or trangkaso. In fact, 90 percent of influenza-associated deaths occur among individuals aged 65 or over. The risk for hospitalization is also high in this population. 

Flu can also worsen underlying medical conditions such as cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases that become more frequent with age.

With the susceptibility of the elderly to flu, the Philippine College of Chest Physicians (PCCP), through the Council on Lung Infections headed by Dr. Patrick Magalit and in partnership with Sanofi Pasteur, conducted a flu vaccination program for senior citizens in four sites — Mercy Community Hospital in Iligan City, St. Frances Cabrini Medical Center in Batangas, Quezon City General Hospital, and San Juan Medical Center in Metro Manila.

The program is aligned with the advocacy initiatives of PCCP and Sanofi Pasteur in increasing the awareness of the public toward the seriousness of influenza and the value and benefits of flu vaccination.

The project included a lay forum where senior citizens were given more information on flu and how the vaccine can provide them protection for one year.

The project was done also in collaboration with the active and dedicated council members in the participating areas who took the time to gather patients and coordinate the activity with their respective hospitals.

Aside from the senior citizens, the health care workers who assisted in the vaccination activity also received free flu vaccine. 

Because of the nature of their work, health care professionals are at a high risk of being infected with the flu virus. As such, there is also the need for them to get vaccinated annually against flu to protect themselves and their patients.