The Flu Fairytale

"Once there was a beautiful young princess who lived in a big castle. She had everything she wanted; her parents gave her the most precious toys in the land.

But a room full of toys still failed to make her happy. She was never allowed to go out. The king and queen were worried about the terrible disease brought by a wicked witch that made a lot of people sick in town. So they waited for the good fairies to come and help them.

Until one day, the fairies came with a magic potion that will protect everyone from the dreadful disease that cursed the town. The king and queen were overjoyed when the helpful fairies gave them and the princess, a dose of the magic potion.

The young princess was very happy because she’s free to explore, once again! Since then, the town and its people became peaceful for a very long time.

And they all lived healthily ever after."

Okay, so I had to make up a flu fairytale when I was running out of ideas to convince my little girl to get vaccinated. She loves to read stories, and I thought this was a subtle way to convince her not to fear being injected. I even let her draw the princess and the ‘magic potion’ to complete the story. But we all know that life is no fairytale, and we have to face the harsh realities that we encounter on a daily basis, while searching for the happily (or healthily) ever after.

Currently, one of the harsh realities we have to deal with is the Influenza A(H1N1) virus that is continuously raising panic among countries due to the increasing number of cases and death reportedly caused by it. In times like this, we rely on both science and divine intervention to help us get through.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), efforts are underway to develop a vaccine covering the new flu virus strain. The best that we could do at the moment is to observe utmost vigilance, do preventive health practices, strengthen our immune system and get the currently available seasonal vaccine, for protection over other severe illnesses that kill 250,000 to 500,000 people each year.

I am relieved that my daughter and I were already Bakunado with the Vaxigrip Flu vaccine through Sanofi Pasteur Philippines’ Flu Awareness and Prevention Seminar, held at Max’s Tiendesitas last March 7, 2009. I am also glad to say that to date, we haven’t experienced any side effect - no fever or flu, unlike the common misconception that most people contract them, after undergoing vaccination.

I admit it gave me a certain degree of confidence knowing that both of us are shielded from several Influenza virus strains that can attack anyone anytime, especially those who are most vulnerable.

Who should be vaccinated?

* Any person who desires to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza
* Children 6-59 months
* Adults and children with risk factors:
- Chronic cardiovascular disease (e.g. congestive heart failure, hypertensive
cardiovascular disease, valvular heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, stroke)
- Chronic lung disease (e.g. COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis, malignancies, chronic PTB)
- Chronic metabolic disease (diabetes)
- Chronic renal dysfunction
- Hemoglobinopathies
* Children and adolescents who are receiving long term aspirin therapy
* Immunosuppressed or those with weakened immune system
* Residents of nursing homes and chronic care facilities
* Pregnant women on their 2nd and 3rd trimester who have not received their flu
vaccine within the last 12 months
* Persons who can transmit influenza to those at risk: health care workers and other
personnel of out patient care settings, hospitals, nursing homes, and chronic care
facilities; Household contacts and caregivers of person at risk
* Persons who provide essential and emergency community services, students and
other persons in institutional settings

Source: http://www.bakuna.ph

An ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure. And like any responsible individual, we need to act now than regret when it’s already too late.

What preventive measures have you taken to ensure your health safety and that of your family? Are you ready to respond to the challenge of being immunized from flu? Then arm yourself with more flu facts by visiting http://www.bakuna.ph to learn why this is one of the important life-saving shots you should get today.

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Believe me, it's not as painful as it looks!

I told you I am SO getting a Flu vaccine for myself and the Little Lady.

Well, we did!

Last March 7, Sanofi Pasteur Philippines, in collaboration with Nuffnang Philippines, conducted the 2nd wave of the Flu Awareness and Prevention Seminar at Max’s Tiendesitas, Pasig City. I was given the opportunity to attend this event along with fellow bloggers, parents and their children alike.

No less than Sanofi Pasteur’s medical director, Dr. Ruby Mendoza-Dizon talked about Influenza and its potential harmful implications especially during flu season.

We usually dismiss the common cold and cough as a normal occurrence during season transitions that can be remedied by popping a cold medicine, taking cough syrup, increased fluid intake and bed rest. But not everybody is aware that it could lead to Flu – a highly contagious respiratory disease that can be life-threatening to high-risk individuals of all ages.

I had been a victim of Flu on many occasions and have painfully survived it by taking doctor-prescribed medicines and ample bed rest, but it also resulted to a lot of absences from work. Nobody knows if I’d be as lucky to recover easily with the next strain of Flu virus that will hit me, so when Nuffnang invited me for the second time (that’s right, because I missed the first one), I made sure to grab the chance of getting bakunado and being protected from the Influenza virus for the rest of the year. The vaccine costs around P1,500-P2,000 per shot – the exact same amount of savings I had that day, multiplied by two!

I thought the Little Lady won’t qualify for vaccination because she had colds that time. Some vaccines have certain limitations, but Vaxigrip turns out to be generally safe for everyone except for those who have genuine allergy or hypersensitivity to eggs. It's a killed vaccine, which means contrary to a popular misconception, it will not cause anyone to get the Flu after being vaccinated. There is also no need to be isolated from other family members in the household, and one can resume normal activities after receiving it.

Here's a video of my Little Lady taking the Flu shot in painful anticipation - facial expression and all, only to be surprised when it turned out to be painless!


"Sorry, Mom. I did not believe you," was all she said after the shot. I told her earlier that "It will only feel like an ant bite" (I didn't believe this either, but what's a mom got to say?) Lucky for us, the one who administered the vaccine - Sanofi's Product Manager Ms. Bing Sonsona, did it painlessly perfect. No side effects, no sore arms!

Huh, that's it?

With Nuffnang beauties Jing and Roanna

Thank you Sanofi Pasteur and Nuffnang! :)

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