Seniors in Valenzuela get anti-pneumonia shots
VALENZUELA City Mayor Weslie Gatchalian on Monday urged elderly residents to take advantage of the free anti-pneumonia shots, as Philippines Statistics Authority's data show that the malady is one of the leading causes of mortality among the elderly population.
Gatchalian told The Manila Times that initial batches of senior citizens ages 60 years and above had their anti-pneumonia shots administered in several barangay (village) parks from June 3 to 7, and 10 to 14, 2024.
He said the city government decided to set more schedules — June 17 to 21 in Polo Park, and June 24 to 28 in People's Park — in order to accommodate more elderly residents for the anti-pneumonia shots, free of charge.
Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN«I am urging our endeared senior citizens, who must have their anti-pneumonia shots, to take advantage of the free vaccine rollout that is being initiated by the local government,» the city chief executive said.
The VCVaxPlus' Project: Vaccination at the Parks program aims to improve accessibility and give free vaccines to protect the city's senior citizens who are most vulnerable to respiratory diseases, the City Health Department (CHD) said.
Senior citizens may visit the Free Pneumococcal Vaccination Sites from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in various recreational facilities in the city.
AdvertisementVaccine recipients must bring their Valenzuela City Office of the Citizens Affair identification card, medical clearance (for those with comorbidities), and pneumonia vaccine card (if any), the CHD said.
The CHD clarified that senior citizens allowed to receive the free vaccine shots are only those who are asymptomatic (no cough, colds, fever, sore throat, or other flu symptoms), not currently taking antibacterial or steroids, not vaccinated with other vaccines within the last 14 days or two weeks, and have not received pneumococcal vaccine within the last five years.
Also, it reminded city residents that the free jabs will be administered on a first-come-first-serve basis due to the limited supply of the vaccine.
«This vaccination drive attests to the commitment of the local administration to providing inclusive, quality health
