A coalition group that seeks to promote the welfare of senior citizens and push for the universal access of the elderly to flu vaccines was launched on Friday, Nov.11.

Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano said the “Raising Awareness in Influenza to Support Elderlies (RAISE) was launched by various groups from the government, medical community, and civil society in partnership with the city government and the sectoral representatives who are calling for the amendment to the Expanded Senior Citizens Act to provide free flu vaccines to senior citizens nationwide.

Rubiano said the event kicked off with free flu vaccination and Covid-19 booster shots to more than 200 senior citizens in the city.

She also highlighted the importance of making sure that flu vaccines reach every senior citizen in the country.

The mayor added that the coalition also plans to engage with other various local government units and civil society to push for universal access to flu vaccines.

Rubiano said there is also an effort to tap lawmakers on crafting measures in support of flu vaccination among the elderly as well as a possible collaboration with the Department of Health on flu vaccination initiatives at the local level.

Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV) President Dr. Rose Capeding emphasized the urgency of giving access to flu vaccines to the elderly, highlighting the vulnerability of the population to life threatening complications if infected with influenza.

“Getting vaccinated against influenza is the first line of defense for our lolos (grandfather) and lolas (grandmother), Dr. Capeding said.

Capeding added that giving the elderly free flu vaccines gives them a fighting chance to any kind of diseases especially the pneumonia.

Dr. Rontgene Solante added that among other complications, older Filipinos afflicted with the flu have a higher risk of heart attack by three to five times, and stroke by two to three times in the first two weeks of infection.

“We also have to remember that we’re still in a pandemic, which means that senior citizens also still run the risk of Covid-19 co-infection,” Dr. Eric Tayag from the Rotary Club Philippines added.

Included in the RAISE Coalition are the Senior Citizens’ Partylist, represented by Congressman Rodolfo Ordanes, and the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), which expressed their support to help spread awareness among senior citizens regarding the necessity of flu vaccines.

“It is the obligation of the government to provide free vaccines for those who need them the most,” said NCSC chairperson Atty. Franklin Quijano said.

“Immunization is the name of the game, and the NCSC is proud to be working with the RAISE coalition to bring awareness on the significance of flu vaccines among our elders,” Quijano added.

During a manifestation of support, Roderick Alapar, the convenor of Bayan Bakuna, underscored the need to dispel fears associated with getting inoculated among older Filipinos.

“Marami pa ring takot sa ating mga senior citizens, kailangan natin ipagpatuloy ang pagkumbinsi at pag-assure sa kanila na ligtas at kailangan nila magpabakuna laban sa trangkaso.”( Most of our senior citizens still have fear of getting vaccinated so we need to continue in convincing them that receiving vaccines is safe), said Alapar.