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Whether it’s catching up
with loved ones, going on new adventures or witnessing important milestones –
don’t let the flu stop you from being present for the things that matter most.
Enjoy a #Unstoppable2023 by safeguarding your health from the flu and other
infectious diseases.
WHAT IS THE FLU? NOW CAN IT STOP ME FROM LIFE'S
ADVENTURES?
●
Influenza can be a critical
illness that can lead to complications, hospitalizations, and even death in
high-risk people.1,2
●
Seasonal influenza occurs globally
and is estimated to infect (symptomatically or asymptomatically in 5
unvaccinated children and 10 unvaccinated adults.2 In addition,
up to 5 million people fall severely ill because of the flu, and every year, up
to 650,000 people are at risk of dying globally because of
influenza-associated respiratory diseases.2
WHY SHOULD I GET AN ANNUAL FLU SHOT?
●
A flu vaccine helps your immune
system provide optimal protection against the flu, enabling you to live
your life to the fullest. For vaccinated children as young as six months and
older adults. A flu shot can be lifesaving.3,4
●
Flu vaccine protection declines
over time due to the constant changing of the flu virus strain. Due to this,
vaccines are annually reviewed and produced to ensure optimal protection
against the current flu virus.3
WHY SHOULD I GET A FLU SHOT IF I WANT TO HAVE A GREAT
YEAR AHEAD? 5
●
The best time to get your flu shot
is before the flu season starts.6
●
In the Philippines, influenza
viruses circulate year-round with multiple annual peaks. Increased activity is
seen from June to November.7 If you can get vaccinated as
early as you can, the better.
During the Q & A:
Ingrid Nieto-Pagulayan, Host: If you or a guest that you’ve assisted in any of your travels has ever been sick while traveling?
Rafael Dionisio, President
and CEO of Make a Difference (MAD) Travel: Personally, whenever I have
sickness, I’ll cancel immediately just out of respect to those people around
me. Also, recently we had trips around Rizal and Zambales and we had children
and adults on that trip who got sick. When traveling, people are engaged in
what they're doing and kind of disregard the symptoms (a stuffy nose or itchy
throat) but we need to be mindful of other people,
Doc Jing, how can we tell if it's a common cold or flu?
Dr. Jing Velasco-Aro, Vaccine
Medical Head, GSK:
(The common cold and flu are)
both respiratory illnesses. “Although, the symptoms
might be similar among the two (common cold vs. flu) which people might find
difficult to differentiate just by minding the symptoms alone. But in general,
the flu can be worse than your common colds.”
Mr. Dionisio: What's the best way to prevent getting
sick?
Dr. Velasco-Aro: The best way is
by not to mingle w/ other people, not to go in public spaces, wear masks, do
hand hygiene (washing your hands, alcohol rubs/gels), avoid touching your face,
have enough rest, have a healthy diet: keep these healthy habits while
conversing with other people. Also, have a routine check-up to be preventive.
Vaccination isn’t for kids alone, adults need this as well (through
vaccination, it will boost your immune system.
Host: When is the best time to get the flu vaccine?
Dr. Velasco-Aro: The influenza virus thrives in weathers
(rainy & humid). In the Philippines, it circulates all year-round. Annual
peaks of Flu (between June to November), now is the best time to get a flu
vaccine and when you’re planning to travel at least 2 weeks before your travel
you can get a flu vaccine for the antibodies to be activated but don’t wait
whenever you’re just traveling: get a vaccine whenever you can. You have to get
yourselves vaccinated, you don’t need to wait whenever you travel. Go to your
doctors for your shots and their recommendations.
Host: What if there are people who might feel that their
antibodies are working just fine, what else should we take into consideration
when getting a flu vaccine and why should we get it?
Dr. Velasco-Aro: People might
think that, yes, their antibodies are fine and we do have healthy habits. But
we want to optimize getting ourselves healthy and be vaccinated (other
benefits: less absenteeism from work, less complications from diseases or
hospitalizations, and also we are preventing the people around us from getting
sick as well. In helping ourselves, we’re also protecting around us)
Host: Are there specific groups who are more at risk?
Dr. Velasco-Aro: Everyone can
get the flu, as early as a 6 month old. Who is the most vulnerable? These
children, parents, and grandparents are vulnerable to getting the flu. Even
pregnant women are at risk of severe complications from having a flu. We may be
actually okay but the people around us are at risk especially our parents with
chronic conditions (asthma, COPD, diabetes, or heart diseases).
Mr. Dionisio: Doc you said that the flu circulates
year-round, how can I prepare? Does this virus change? For example, can it be
more prevalent?
Dr. Velasco-Aro: The flu changes
or mutates yearly; which is why it getting a flu vaccine yearly is recommended
(Mismatch - even though you were vaccinated last year, you might think that
it's okay and you are protected already but as I’ve mentioned your immunity
also drops and the circulating chain is differ from year-to-year. That’s why
annually you have to get your shots and go to your doctors because getting your
flu vaccine yearly would actually reduce your likelihood of getting the disease
by 40-60%.)
To know more about
the benefits of flu vaccine and to get your flu shot, talk to your healthcare
provider today.
A Health Service Message brought to you by GSK
For Philippines Audience Only
NP-PH-FLT-PINF-230001| March 2023
Full prescribing information available upon
request.
Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the
GSK Group of Companies
© 2023 GSK Group of Companies
Kindly forward all adverse events and product
complaints to
GSK Philippines via these contact details:
Adverse events: ph.safety@gsk.com
Product complaints: PHLOC_complaints@gsk.com
or 0917 889 7050.
GlaxoSmithKline Philippines Inc.
23F The Finance Centre, 26th St. cor. 9th Ave.
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Tel No. (632) 8892 0761
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