A CONSUMER groups alliance on Friday called on the government to make flu vaccines for seniors free.

Health surveillance data showed that only 36.3 percent of adults ages 60 and older in the country were vaccinated against influenza.

Physicians said that up to 85 percent of flu-related deaths were from those ages 65 years old and above.

"The government's free vaccination program stands as their only means of protection against vaccine-preventable diseases," said Ricardo Samaniego, founder of the Philippine Coalition of Consumer Welfare Inc.

Under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, the Department of Health is tasked to provide free influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for indigent senior citizens.

The Philippine Coalition of Consumer Welfare has been pushing for its expansion to cover all senior citizens in the country.

Roderick Alapar, lead convenor of Bayan Bakuna, said that seniors have the right to free life-saving vaccines.

"Our government needs to start strengthening immunization efforts for our elderly population to promote a healthy aging society. Undertaking this prioritization perfectly aligns with the 8-point agenda of the current administration," Alapar added.

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