After two years of lockdown, people can now catch up with their loved ones and return to doing what they enjoyed before. However, COVID-19 cases are on the rise again, prompting Filipinos to postpone many of their travel plans.
Independent monitoring group OCTA Research reported a seven-day positivity rate of 18.8 percent in the National Capital Region (NCR) as of last Monday, May 1, 2023. It’s higher than the 7.1 percent compared to the 11.7 percent reported last April 24, 2023.
The unexpected increase in the positivity rate worries people who plan on attending their favorite artists’ concerts and festivals and especially those who will travel locally or abroad. Hence, the need for annual check-ups and flu vaccination doses before going away on planned trips or vacations.
Last Thursday, April 27, the GSK Philippines launched its Unstoppable 2023 campaign via Zoom with speakers Doctor Jing Velasco-Aro, Vaccine Medical Head of GSK Philippines, and Rafael Dionisio, travel expert and co-founder of Make A Difference (MAD) Travel.
The Unstoppable 2023 Campaign encourages everyone to get their yearly dose of flu vaccine.
The media launch started with a game called Two Truths and One Lie, wherein participants will be guessing the lie among the three statements presented. The game’s topic was debunking vaccine myths, which Velasco-Aro eventually discussed.
Velasco-Aro clarified these vaccine myths, including the common one that vaccines are exclusive for children.
“It’s not just for children. Some of us only associate vaccination [as] ‘para sa mga bata lang yan,’ but vaccinations are also needed by adults,” Velasco-Aro said.
Young adults and teenagers, who have much to experience this 2023 with the return of the Manila concert scene and other outdoor or social activities are, receive much encouragement to get vaccinated and frequently boost their shots for best results.
She also added that people should keep up with their doses yearly, especially before their travel or hangouts, to keep them from catching the flu.
Although it is usually at its peak between June to November, people are susceptible to it all year round.
When getting vaccinated, people should consider how it’ll benefit them. Besides its health advantages, interested individuals should also determine which ones are accessible and affordable yet effective.
Dionisio also shared how he keeps himself healthy and recovering from sickness, especially the flu.
“One thing that comes to mind is that when I’m feeling sick—what I tend to do is drink and eat a lot of healthy [items], and then, I close my tech so that I’ll fall asleep,” he said.
Lastly, Velasco-Aro reminds people to get their flu vaccinations as early as now to avoid spreading other viruses and diseases—being the consideration to get one.
“Think about the overall benefits of the flu vaccine so that you will be able to have your Unstoppable 2023,” the doctor said.
As the popular saying goes, “Prevention is better than a cure.” Vaccines are an ideal source of prevention from significant diseases that could boost people’s immunity and let them live their lives to the fullest.
