TO help them stay healthy, prevent illness and even prolong their lives, the Department of Health (DOH) in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) the local government of Pinamalayan in Oriental Mindoro conducted a pneumococcal vaccination for elderly people recently.
Health Regional Director Eduardo Janairo and Pinamalayan Vice Mayor Aristeo A. Baldos Jr. led the kick of ceremony of pneumococcal vaccination at the municipality as a way also to express gratitude for the elderly.
“Pneumococcal vaccine is the safe and effective way to help elderly people stay healthy, prevent illness and even prolong their lives. As we age, we are at higher risk of complications from pneumonia but once vaccinated, we can be protected from the virus from up to five years,” Janairo said.
Janairo said the elderly have been “keeping our generation safe and healthy as we also give them health and protection as they enjoy a more fruitful journey through life and a possible return to mainstream economic society.
According to health experts, pneumonia is an infection of the lungs which affects thousands of Filipinos yearly. Pneumonia infections can be prevented and treated through proper vaccination.
As the body grows older, its natural defense systems tend to decrease, which places older people at greater risk of flu and pneumonia. Pneumoccocal vaccines weaken the severity of these viruses.
The DOH provides free pneumococcal vaccination to seniors and are available in municipal health centers.
According to Janairo pneumococcal vaccine prevents serious blood, brain, and lung infections from the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria.