MikeLigalig.com

By Ma. Teresa Yosores

Pneumococcal Diseases (PD) and memory loss may already come to extinction. But one must remember first the importance of vaccination if you don’t want PD beat you into expiration.

Target vaccine recipients of this generation are indeed lucky for the new advancement developed to what is now considered as the wonder drug that fights the most common causes of morbidity and mortality for many generations among children below five years old and adults 65 years old and above.

Pfizer public affairs and communications director Patricia J. Pascual said the new advanced PD vaccine can now be given to infants as early as six weeks and adults 50 years old and above.

Pascual said that aside from protection from PD, the vaccine contains memory cells that prevent – what else – memory loss in old ages. Another advantage is that it can be administered only once and the protection is lifetime, he said.

In the recently-held second leg of the Prevent PD (Pneumococcal Disease) Campaign at the Alabang Town Center, Pfizer Philippines emphasized the importance of awareness in curbing the onslaught of this preventable disease.

Ironic, according to the guest speakers, specialists Dr. Tom Realiza and Dr. Glenda Pereira. Both doctors lamented that lack of awareness is the reason why the disease proliferates. Dr. Realiza revealed that even some doctors do lack awareness on the prevention of the disease.

So aside from proliferating awareness on the disease, the event was also aimed to convince senior citizens about the importance of keeping a healthy lifestyle and they were given tips on how to practice this. Likewise, they were given free medical tests including blood tests for cholesterol and blood sugar, as well as consultations with doctors.

Dr. Realiza and Dr. Pereira discussed the severity of pneumococcal disease and the importance of recognizing its symptoms. They both agree that if the symptoms are treated early on, the patient has a good chance of surviving PD.

It would be best though to have the vaccination right away than procrastinate it until the symptoms show up, according to them. They said that the treatment can be burdensome physically and financially and there are always benefits with preventive care.

“In the Philippines, pneumonia is the most common type of pneumococcal disease. It is also among the top-ranking diseases for both morbidity and mortality. With its high societal burden to health, there is a need for an effective preventive measure, specifically vaccination,” Dr. Realiza said.

They strongly advised people to maintain good health especially when one is already at an old age because a weak immune system means he/she can be more susceptible to infectious diseases.

Celebrity advocate Pilita Corales also graced the event. Aside from rendering her singing prowess, she also shared to the crowd her own experience with pneumonia that landed her in the hospital.

“We have to make an extra effort to maintain good health, because it’s hard to get sick these days, not to mention that it is so expensive. Staying in the hospital is never easy. If it can be avoided, do so,” she pointed out.

She added that had she known about the vaccine, she could have spared herself the physical and financial tolls of the disease.

“Having said that, I believe that this campaign is a great way to encourage seniors to have themselves checked up, as they have nothing to lose and everything to gain,” Corales stressed.

Meanwhile, Pascual said that the company’s campaign through information and education about PD and teaching effective preventive measures would empower the Filipinos to evade the burdens of this highly-invasive disease.

“Although to some, maintaining a healthy lifestyle may be as simple as having balanced diet and regular exercise, but experts recognize health education as an important part of good health,” Pascual said.

Records show that pneumonia is the leading cause of morbidity and the 5th leading cause of mortality in the Philippines.

Data released by Philhealth states that in-patient claims for pneumonia totalled 295,390, which amounts to over 2 billion pesos in 2010. In 2011, Philhealth claims rose to 327, 515, amounting to P2.5 billion.

Against this backdrop,Pfizer Philippines is inviting Filipinos aged 50 years and above to be a PD-prevention advocate by joining the Pfizer Life Club. For those interested, you may call the Pfizer

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