A total of 53, 220 Senior Citizens were identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development XII to receive free Influenza and Pneumococcal Immunization from Department of Health XII.

“These senior citizens aged 60 and up were identified indigenous/poor individuals based on the data of the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) database”, said Ryan Ibones, Regional Information Technology Officer (RITO) of National Household Targeting Unit (NHTU) during the orientation on the Administrative Order 2011-0018 on May 9 to 10, 2013 in General Santos City.

He also discussed the Administrative Order 2011-0018 also known as The Implementing Guidelines on Influenza and Pneumococcal Immunization for senior citizens to among Provincial Social Welfare Development Officers (PSWDO), DOH XII representatives and Social Pension officer.

In South Cotabato, a total of 13, 265 will receive the free vaccine, in North Cotabato- 19, 103, Sultan Kudarat- 10, 591, Sarangani -6,770. A total of 3, 491 senior citizens from Cotabato City will receive the free vaccine.

Health authorities are positive that after the vaccination, indigent senior citizens in the region will be better guarded against diseases responsible for hospitalizations or even deaths.