
After the sudden death of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, Google searches for influenza-induced pneumonia rose in the Philippines.
The “Meteor Garden” actress was only 48 years old and had no reported illness before her passing, making fans concerned as influenza or flu is a common seasonal infection.
The saddening news is a reminder of how influenza can lead to potentially fatal illnesses like pneumonia and should not be taken lightly, especially those with underlying medical conditions.
In the Philippines, health professionals advocate for getting vaccine shots as one of the ways to avoid such outcomes. Various healthcare providers offer vaccinations against influenza and pneumonia, including the following:
Mercury Drug
Mercury Drug offers a variety of vaccines, including flu and pneumonia shots, at select branches.
Flu shots are priced at P850, while pneumonia vaccines start at P2,360.
Patients must show a valid prescription, but there are also doctors onsite who can do the screening and issue the prescription if the patient is deemed fit to be vaccinated.
Watsons
Participating Watsons branches also provide flu and pneumonia vaccines nationwide on an appointment basis.
The flu shots are priced at P850, while the pneumonia vaccines are available for P2,370 and P3,850.
Vaccination activities are conducted between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be paid at the store or online.
Southstar Drug
Another drugstore offering vaccines is Southstar Drug.
The flu shots are priced at P850, while pneumonia vaccines range from P2,360 to P3,995.
The vaccination schedule varies depending on the Southstar Drug branch and must be paid at the preferred location before the chosen schedule.
Hi-Precision Diagnostics
Hi-Precision Diagnostics offers vaccines on an order basis. They have branches in Metro Manila, Luzon, Cebu, Butuan City, Cagayan De Oro City, and Davao City.
Flu shots are priced at P1,450, while pneumococcal vaccines, which help protect against pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, are available for P3,846 and P5,550.
Kindred
Women-centric healthcare provider Kindred offers flu vaccine starting at P1,500 and pneumonia shots starting at P3,200.
Kindred has locations in Serendra Mall, Bonifacio Global City, Vertis North Ayala Malls in Quezon City, P. Ocampo St., in Malate, Manila, and Sta Rosa, Laguna.
—MGP, GMA Integrated News