Senior citizens in Pampanga's fourth district will soon have access to free flu vaccines under a new vaccination program initiated by Representative Anna York Bondoc. The program is set to begin on Friday, July 10, 2026.
Program Coordination and Implementation
Bondoc announced that the initiative is being carried out in collaboration with Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBLMGH), the Department of Health (DOH) Region 3, and Rural Health Units (RHUs) within the district. Vaccination teams will visit various barangays from July through August to administer the vaccines to elderly residents.
The lawmaker encouraged senior citizens to register with their respective Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), RHUs, or the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) to ensure they are included in the list of vaccine recipients.
Health Advocacy and Risks
Bondoc, who is also a medical doctor, has long advocated for flu vaccination. She previously launched similar programs through coordination with the DOH and the national government. She emphasized the vulnerability of senior citizens, stating, “We advise seniors to get vaccinated to stay safe from flu. They are the most vulnerable.”
She warned that influenza can lead to pneumonia, a serious lung infection that poses greater health risks to older adults. “Flu is a respiratory infection that can become serious, and once it becomes serious, you can get hospitalized and possibly develop secondary pneumonia because your immune system weakens. That can be deadly, and that is what kills people,” Bondoc explained.
Additional Recipients
Any remaining doses will be administered to individuals with comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension, patients undergoing dialysis or chemotherapy, and children.
