Multi-stakeholder Coalition Brings Health Advocacy to Carmona With Flu Vaccination Outreach Program 

September 11, 2023, Carmona City - With influenza ranking as one of the top causes of mortality for senior citizens, various government agencies, medical groups, and civil society organizations have joined forces in Carmona City for the Raising Awareness on Influenza to Support Elderlies (RAISE) coalition in celebration of Grandparent’s Day. The newly chartered city emphasized how vital vaccination is in their efforts to take care of their senior citizens, and that they were proudly joining RAISE in calling for the revision of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act to provide more free flu vaccinations for all senior citizens in the country.

The event kicked off by providing free flu vaccines and COVID-19 booster shots to four hundred thirty three senior citizens of Carmona City. Dr. Lulu Bravo, RAISE co-convenor and Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV) Executive Director, highlighted the urgency of providing free flu vaccines to senior citizens. Dr. Bravo emphasized, “Yung trangkaso kagaya ng COVID, kapag tumama sa elderly ay mas mataas ang tyansa sa iba't ibang sakit, dahil sila ay nasa vulnerable age. Makatulong ang mga bakunang ito to save 24 million lives. Ganon po ang inaasahan natin sa mga senior citizens: malusog, nasa labas ng bahay.” 

Usec. Eric Tayag from the Department of Health expressed their enthusiasm towards the vaccination program, noting that senior citizens' vaccination is just as important as the routine childhood programs. "Malapit na po ang ating bansa sa ageing population, katunayan may mga batas tayo na nagbibigay ng proteksyon at sinisiguro ang kapakanan ng mga senior citizens," said Usec Tayag.

Mayor Dahlia Loyola of Carmona City added, “We are happy to have received our flu vaccines from the Department of Health, which augments our local budget to serve even more lolos and lolas here in Carmona. Nawa’y mas marami pang lugar ang maabot at matulungan ng RAISE coalition upang sa ganoon ay mas marami pa tayo maprotektahan laban sakit na ito. Patuloy pong pinapaabot ng LGU Caromona ang aming taos pusong suporta sa RAISE coalition sa kanilang adhikain.”

Dr. Maria Beatrix Duzon, representative from DOH-4A Center for Health Development emphasized, “It's our time to give our thanks to our beloved senior citizens. Ibababa po naming ang lahat ng mga bakunang nabili. Dito sa carmona nasa 6,500 plus na ang nabakunahan, naway mas mapataas pa natin ito.”

The RAISE coalition has also garnered support from the Senior Citizens Partylist, represented by Ding Latoja, Deputy Vice President of the Senior Citizens Association. Latoja, emphasized “Hindi po nag mimintis ang ating senior citizen partylist sa pagbibigay ng vaccines. Yun po ang senior citizens partylist, tumutulong sa lahat. Health is more important than wealth. Basta senior bawal magkasakit. The Senior Citizens partylist is always in support of PFV.”

With the successful programs of the RAISE coalition this Grandparent’s Day, its vision extends even further. The coalition will be working with more LGUs and legislative champions this year, striving for a truly universal healthcare system that provides health services to all citizens at no cost. This collaborative endeavor underscores the unwavering commitment to ensure a healthier and more secure future for senior citizens.