Baler, Aurora — The Provincial Health Office of Aurora has received 28,000 doses of flu vaccines from the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure that residents of the province are protected from seasonal influenza through the government’s flu vaccination program.

According to Provincial National Immunization Program (NIP) Coordinator Nurse Femia Calumba, 8,000 of the total doses came from DOH Region 3, while the additional 20,000 doses were provided by the DOH Central Office through the coordination of Congressman Rommel Angara.

She said that the free vaccination program started on November 26 and will end on January 16. Currently, the 8,000 doses from DOH Region 3 have already been distributed, while the Provincial Health Office continues to distribute the remaining 20,000 doses to residents of Aurora through eight Rural Health Units (RHUs).

The vaccines have been distributed to RHUs in Baler, Casiguran, Dilasag, Dinalungan, Dingalan, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, and San Luis to ensure that every town in the province has access to the vaccine. All residents aged 10 and above are eligible to receive the vaccine.

Calumba emphasized the importance of the program, especially for those susceptible to complications from the flu, such as pregnant women, senior citizens, individuals with chronic medical conditions, and caretakers of people at high risk of contracting the disease.

Calumba expressed her gratitude to DOH Region 3, the DOH Central Office, and Congressman Angara for the additional allocation of vaccines.

She urged residents of Aurora to visit the nearest RHU or coordinate with the Provincial Health Office to avail of the free flu vaccine. “Sama-sama nating protektahan ang ating komunidad laban sa flu,” she added.

The free flu vaccination program aims to reduce the cases of flu and its complications and is part of the Provincial Government of Aurora’s initiative to safeguard the health of the public.