Belmonte leads QC vaccination drive

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. led city officials during an anti-influenza vaccination drive aimed at preventing and controlling the spread of communicable diseases in the city.

About 50 vials of the vaccine were administered by city health officer Dr. Ma. Paz Ugalde and her vaccination team at the Quezon City Hall Bulwagan as the city government steps up a determined effort to manage, prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases, particularly the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus in Quezon City.

Although the vaccine is not specifically against SARS, it will improve the immune system of senior city officials and prevent influenza. This will subsequently prevent the expected loss of man hours of service to the people.

Quezon City is the first city in the metropolis to have administered anti-influenza vaccine among its chiefs of offices and department heads.

Apart from department heads and chiefs of offices, the city government is also studying the possibility of giving vaccine shots to city hall’s division chiefs.

Ugalde said recipients of the vaccine are expected to receive a one-year immunity against influenza, an acute and highly contagious infectious virus that is characterized by sudden onset of fever, prostration, severe aches and pains and progressive inflammation of the respiratory mucous membrane and is frequently complicated by secondary infections, such as pneumonia.

Manifestations of the influenza virus are said to be similar to the symptoms exhibited by SARS, the mysterious and deadly pneumonia strain sweeping across the Asian region.

The city government spent about P60,000 for the administration of the anti-influenza vaccine. Ten days later, another vaccine, this time against pneumonia, will be administered to the same senior officials.

Earlier, Belmonte mobilized all city health workers to ensure that the city’s information campaign against SARS is effectively carried out even in remote communities in Quezon City.

"It is important to inform and educate our people. Telling them what to do and where to go if they detect the symptoms of the disease are necessary in allaying their fears," the mayor said.