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MakatiMed underlines that a single person’s vaccines impact the health and well-being of the community. |
The news of the death of 48-year-old Taiwanese star Barbie Hsu, fondly remembered by Filipinos as Sancai of the 2000s hit TV series Meteor Garden, not only shocked fans around the country but also served as a stark reminder of the potential complications that can arise from even seemingly mild illnesses like the flu.
Hsu’s tragic and untimely passing underscores the importance of staying up to date on vaccinations, even for healthy adults. As emphasized by Dr. Ryan Raymond Y. Bautista of MMC HealthHub from top hospital in the Philippines Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed), even minor health issues like the flu or infections may significantly disrupt daily life. They may lead to lost income, increased expenses for medication or hospital confinement, or in some cases, serious health complications. Yet, most of these diseases can be prevented by keeping up with one’s vaccines.
“Even if the immune system of adults is fully developed compared to that of a baby or child, it still does not exempt them from contracting preventable and potentially fatal diseases,” says Dr. Bautista. “Vaccinations are a crucial preventive measure that can protect individuals from serious illnesses and their devastating consequences. Vaccines contain weakened or inactivated forms of bacteria or viruses, which will allow the body to recognize the disease-causing organism and produce antibodies to prevent full-blown infections and minimize complications in the future.”
With the flu season now in full swing in the Philippines, MakatiMed enumerates vital vaccines every adult should have: