Vaccine shots urged for 6-month-olds amid rise of flu-like illnesses

Children as young as six months old should start getting their flu shots as cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) are on the rise, a medical professional reminded parents and guardians on Wednesday. 

In a public briefing, Dr. Benito Atienza, Philippine Federation of Professional Association Vice President III, stressed the importance of immunization in getting vulnerable infants protected against contagious respiratory infection. 

“Ang flu vaccine ay binibigay as early as six months po. Tandaan natin… dapat nabigyan na ang mga sanggol na six months old at pataas at dapat ‘yun ay magkasunod. Kung six months binigyan, dapat ang second dose ay sa seventh month niya. Tapos taon taon na ‘yun,” he explained. 

(The flu vaccine is given to children as early as six months old. Remember that infants six months old and above must have received the flu shots consecutively. If the shot was given during the sixth month, the second dose should be given in the seventh month. After that, the shot is given yearly.) 

As to the general population, Atienza advised that they should get the flu vaccine as early as it is distributed every February. 

“Every year, bago ang bakuna ng flu. ‘Wag nating hintayin na malapit na ang expiration at saka tayo magpapabakuna. Magpabakuna tayo nang maaga,” he added. 

(Every year, the flu vaccine is new. Let's not wait until the expiration is near before we get vaccinated. Let's get vaccinated early.) 

The Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday that ILI cases in the Philippines are still increasing but at a slower pace. 

The agency recorded 10,242 ILI cases from October 15 to October 28, down 20% from two weeks earlier. 

This brought the total caseload this year to 182,721, as of November 11. DOH said this was 51% higher compared to the 121,160 cases reported during the same period in 2022.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Wednesday also allayed the concerns of the public regarding the reported surge of respiratory illness in China, saying it is not caused by a new virus and is related to the cold season.

The DOH attributed the respiratory case increases in China to mycoplasma pneumoniae, which is a common bacterial infection affecting children, as well as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, and influenza. 

The DOH also said the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that general preventive measures against respiratory illnesses should be practiced, but no specific measures for travelers and border control have been recommended. —NB, GMA Integrated News