Bakunado sa FLU

Last March 7, I was priviledged to be part of Bakunado sa FLU.   Together with Monch and our nieces and nephew, I attended an Anti- Flu Awareness and Prevention Seminar at Max’s Tiendesitas.

Dr. Ruby Mendoza – Dizon, Medical Director of Sanofi Pasteur Phils.,  talked about the common symptoms of the FLU, and the implications of getting infected with the virus.

According to Dr. Dizon, influenza is caused by a virus that attacks mainly the upper respiratory tract – the nose, throat and bronchi and rarely also the lungs.  Vaccination is the principal measure for preventing influenza and reducing the impact of epidemics.

People who need to get the flu shot:
*  Any person who desires to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza
*  Children 6-59 months 4
*  Adults and children with risk factors:
o  Chronic cardiovascular disease (e.g. congestive heart failure, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, valvular heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, stroke
o  Chronic lung disease (e.g. COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis, malignancies, chronic PTB)
o  Chronic metabolic disease ( diabetes)
o  Chronic renal dysfunction
o  Hemoglobinopathies
*  Children and adolescents who are receiving long term aspirin therapy
*  Immunosuppressed or those with weakened immune system
*  Residents of nursing homes and chronic care facilities
*  Pregnant women on their 2nd and 3rd trimester who have not received their flu vaccine within the last 12 months
*  Persons who can transmit influenza to those at risk: health care workers and other personnel of out patient care settings, hospitals, nursing homes, and chronic care facilities; Household contacts and caregivers of person at risk
*  Persons who provide essential and emergency community services, students and other persons in institutional settings

Who should not be vaccinated
*  Persons known to have anaphylactic hypersensitivity to eggs or other components of the influenza vaccine without medical consultation
*  Persons with acute febrile illness usually should not be vaccinated until their symptoms are abated. Minor illnesses (like mild upper respiratory tract infection), are not contraindications for the use of influenza vaccine, particularly in children

After the seminar, all of the chosen mommy and daddy bloggers from the Nuffnang network were give free anti-flu vaccine.  Not only we saved thousands of pesos, but also we got protected from flu.

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More pictures here: http://irisaeirin.multiply.com

It was great to have gained knowledge about the FLU.  So if you want to learn more about flu or trangkaso, visit www.bakuna.ph or ask your doctor.

Thanks to Sanofi Pasteur, and to Nuffnang Philippines