DOH to procure flu vaccines; delivery seen in August

MANILA — The Health Department said it is "currently finalizing the procurement of flu vaccines", as influenza-like illnesses (ILI) are expected to become prevalent during the ongoing rainy season.

"The Department of Health (DOH) is currently finalizing the procurement of the flu vaccines, with an estimated delivery time of August. The vaccination program for senior citizens will run until the end of the year," the agency said in a Viber message to reporters.

"The data for influenza-like illnesses is currently being processed," it added.

ILIs are among the prevalent diseases that the DOH is monitoring in the rainy season, along with water-, and food-borne diseases, leptospirosis, and dengue - collectively dubbed by the agency as "WILD" diseases.

In a statement, health advocates urged the DOH to fast-track the rollout of influenza vaccines, as respiratory diseases like flu pose "severe risks to senior citizens".

"It is alarming that influenza deaths are underreported in the Philippines," said Dr. Rontgene Solante, infectious disease expert and lead convenor of the Raising Awareness on Influenza to Support Elderlies (RAISE) Coalition.

"We are far behind the target of 75% vaccine coverage as recommended by the World Health Organization for populations at risk. Only 8.81% of adults aged 60 and older in the Philippines were vaccinated against influenza in 2022, and one of the many identified barriers to vaccination is that vaccines sometimes arrive too late for adequate protection against the current strains," he added.

Solante said flu vaccines should be released during the "first few months of the year".

"We cannot leave our seniors this vulnerable as we enter the rainy season. The DOH must act swiftly to ensure timely flu vaccination will be given to protect them against this vaccine-preventable disease," he said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses, which spread easily between people when they cough or sneeze.

"Vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease. Symptoms of influenza include acute onset of fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue. Treatment should aim to relieve symptoms. People with the flu should rest and drink plenty of liquids. Most people will recover on their own within a week. Medical care may be needed in severe cases and for people with risk factors," the agency said.

The WHO explained all age groups may be affected by influenza, but some are more at risk than others, including pregnant women, children under 5 years old, older people, along with "individuals with chronic medical conditions (such as chronic cardiac, pulmonary, renal, metabolic, neurodevelopmental, liver or hematologic diseases) and individuals with immunosuppressive conditions/treatments (such as HIV, receiving chemotherapy or steroids, or malignancy)".

"Health and care workers are at high risk of acquiring influenza virus infection due to increased exposure to the patients, and of further spreading particularly to vulnerable individuals," it added.