Makati city is providing free flu and pneumonia shots to frontliners and essential workers to boost their immune system against the dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Some 5,130 frontliners and essential workers have received flu shots, and will be vaccinated for pneumonia in August.
Makati City Mayor Abigail "Abby" Binay on Wednesday (July 29) said the immunization program of the city covers all 9,706 city hall employees, but ordered the Health Department to prioritize city doctors, nurses and health personnel.
City workers engaged in public safety, rescue, social welfare, sanitation and other essential services are also included, the mayor added.
“By immunizing our frontliners and essential work force against these two potentially deadly diseases of the respiratory system, we aim to strengthen their resistance to SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 infection,” Binay explained.
Since the start of the pandemic, the local government of Makati has been providing free vitamins, including Vitamin C and B-complex, to personnel who have been reporting for duty even during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
The trivalent flu shots that cover three strains of influenza (influenza A or H1N1, influenza A or H3N2, and influenza B) were first administered to frontliners at the Makati Health Department, Ospital ng Makati, Veterinary Services Department, Department of Environmental Services, Makati Public Safety Department, Makati Action Center, Social Welfare Department, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Office of the Mayor, and Finance Department.
The Department of Health (DoH) earlier recommended the use of flu and pneumonia vaccines to prevent complications caused by COVID-19.
Since the start of the community quarantine, the city has provided financial aid and food packs to residents, tricycle and jeepney drivers, and delivered medicines to senior citizens.
The local government also allocated over P124 million as COVID-19 hazard pay and special risk allowance for all qualified City Hall frontliners who have been reporting for duty since the start of the ECQ.