Seniors receive free vaccines

Legazpi City– The Department of Health (DOH) launched the Pneumococcal Immunization Program for Senior Citizens as it aims to attain Universal Health Care.

The World Health Organization recommends the use of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for the elderly and other risk groups. The DOH also encourages all senior citizens to visit the nearest health facility and avail the free pneumococcal vaccine.

The vaccine is composed of two doses. Senior citizens aged 60 years old will be given the first dose and will receive the second dose after five years while senior citizens aged 65 years old will only receive one dose of the vaccine.

DOH wants to ensure that these vaccines are distributed not only to well-off citizens but to all indigent elders nationwide.

Pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of serious illness throughout the world. It is caused by a common type of bacteria, the pneumococcus which can attack different parts of the body.

Illnesses caused by pneumococcus include pneumonia, meningitis, middle ear and sinus infections and a condition called sepsis which is an infection of the bloodstream. Age related-impairment of the immune system compounded with decrease of physical activity and poor nutrition increases the risk of severe pneumococcal infection. – Ellaine Torrecampo