TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The City Health Services Office (CHSO) has successfully concluded its anti-flu vaccination drive at the City Hall Compound in Dagupan Centro, this city. The initiative, held on January 8 and 10, 2025, aimed to enhance the community’s health and resilience against the flu.
Over the course of two days, the CHSO administered vaccines to 286 individuals, including 180 city government employees and 106 private citizens.
Jandel Taguiam, National Immunization Program Coordinator, emphasized that this proactive effort underscores the CHSO’s dedication to public health and ensuring widespread access to preventive healthcare measures. Taguiam highlighted the unpredictable weather as a contributing factor for the urgency of the campaign. He also reported an 8.44% increase in influenza cases, rising from 936 cases in 2023 to 1,015 cases in 2024, with no recorded deaths during either year.
Taguiam assured the public that although the vaccination drive has concluded, the CHSO has distributed all available flu vaccines to the health centers across the city. This ensures that residents, including those from remote areas, can still access the vaccines.
“The public should take advantage of this vaccination because it is 100% free, unlike private vaccinations that cost between ₱1,500 and ₱2,200,” Taguiam stated.
The health officer also encouraged everyone to adopt precautionary health measures to prevent the flu, including wearing a face mask in crowded places, practicing proper hygiene and regular hand washing, staying at home unless there are pressing issues outside to take care of.
This initiative aligns with the city’s broader public health strategy to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases and protect vulnerable populations. The health office continues to encourage residents to participate in upcoming health campaigns, ensuring a healthier and safer Tabuk City. By Jesse Maguiya