QC government workers to get anti-bird flu shots

Some 8,000 employees of the Quezon City government will be getting anti-flu shots as a preventive measure against the bird flu disease now sweeping Asian countries.

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has ordered the city health department to administer the vaccine to City Hall employees, who will then be mobilized for a citywide anti-bird flu information campaign.

The mayor said the city government is readying a massive prevention and monitoring campaign against the deadly virus.

City health officer Dr. Ma. Paz Ugalde said there is a need for periodic health checkups particularly during the South East Asian Games starting Nov. 27 when delegates from bird flu affected countries will be arriving in the country.

Aside from the anti-flu shots, city government employees are also scheduled to undergo blood testing as well as cholesterol and blood sugar examination. – Perseus Echeminada