Makati Mayor Jejomar C. Binay today announced that an initial 1,000 city employees will be given flu shots for free during the launching of the month-long flu vaccination drive at 8am tomorrow, June 15, at the City Hall quadrangle.
Binay said the city government of Makati has bought P2.8-million worth of Influenza vaccine for its over 8,000-strong workforce, which includes regular, casual and contractual employees, as part of the city’s Pandemic Preparedness Plan drawn up to mitigate the threat of the A H1N1 flu virus.
“We have prioritized the immunization against seasonal or common flu of our city workers, especially our frontline and field workers, not only to strengthen their defenses against respiratory diseases, but also to help us in promptly identifying possible cases of A H1N1,” Binay said.
Dr. Ma. Lourdes Salud, City Health Officer, said that with this proactive measure, it will be easier for doctors and health workers to detect possible cases of the dreaded flu virus among employees, by the process of elimination, as they will be able to rule out the common flu virus when vaccinated employees show flu-like symptoms.
“Through prompt detection of possible A H1N1 infection, there will be better management of cases, and the risk of exposure will be greatly reduced for co-workers and and family members as well,” Salud said.
Salud said the mayor has ordered the Makati Health Department (MHD) to fast-track its implementation of the drive, which will run from June 15 to July 16, 2009. She said city employees will be scheduled for their free flu shots from Mondays through Fridays, 8am to 5pm at the City Employees Clinic at City Hall and in the barangay health centers.
Meanwhile, Binay has directed the city’s Human Resource Development Office (HRDO) to coordinate with the various departments and offices to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of the drive.
HRDO chief Vissia Marie Aldon said a screening form has been prepared and distributed by her office to all administrative officers, who have been briefed on the process to be followed in the selection and scheduling of employees to be vaccinated.
“We have mobilized all administrative officers and selected HRDO personnel to help the Makati Health Department in implementing the drive and ensure that everyone in the city workforce gets a flu shot,” Aldon said.
Last May, Binay had ordered the newly-created inter-agency Task Force on A H1N1 to draw up an action plan, which was dubbed the “Pandemic Preparedness Plan of Makati,” following reports of the first confirmed case in the country.
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