Health Experts Reveal: Meningococcal Serogroup B is the Most Prevalent Serogroup in the Philippines

Health experts are raising concerns over meningococcal disease in the Philippines, with Serogroup B as the leading cause of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) and accounting for approximately 68% of cases over the recent years.1

Pediatric infectious disease specialists Dr. Lulu Bravo and Dr. Anna Ong-Lim emphasize that IMD poses a severe health risk, particularly if left untreated. In the Philippines, one in every two (50%) of IMD case may result in death. Young children are at the highest risk, and the disease can progress rapidly, often proving fatal within just 24 hours.3 Symptoms can escalate from nonspecific early signs to a critical state in a very short time frame.4

Experts say RSV may increase risks for senior citizens

(From Left: Ms. SoYoung Seo, General Manager of GSK Philippines, Dr. Lourdes Dumlao, Geriatrics Expert, Dr. Lenora Fernandez, Pulmonology Expert, Dr. Rontgene Solante, Infectious Disease Expert, Ms. Nanette Inventor, Artist and Educator, Dr. Gio Barangan Country Medical Director of GSK Philippines and Mr. Richard Arboleda, Communications, Government Affairs and Market Access Lead of GSK Philippines)

News Highlights

Public health experts warn that over 9 million Filipino seniors, especially those with comorbidities, are at high risk for severe RSV infections due to weakened immune systems.

RSV easily infects members within households, with symptoms often mistaken for the common flu, leading to potentially fatal complications in seniors. 

Health Experts Urge Filipinos to Be Vigilant Against Shingles

(L-R): Archana Rajan, GSK Philippines Adult Vaccines Business Unit Director; Dr. Gio Barangan, GSK Philippines Country Medical Director; So Young Seo, GSK Philippines General Manager; Dr. Gaile Robredo-Vitas, Dermatologist; Dr. Rontgene Solante, Infectious Diseases Specialist; Richard Arboleda, GSK Philippines Communications and Government Affairs Head; Rachel Tongson, Adult Vaccines Marketing Manager, GSK Philippines

Health experts joined forces with global biopharma company GSK to launch a nationwide awareness campaign to educate the public on the risks, impact, and prevention of shingles, a debilitating viral infection. Often overlooked, shingles can lead to serious complications if not treated properly, particularly among older adults. The risk of shingles sharply increases at the age of 50.1

Smile Train, GSK empower Philippines’ Medical Professionals through a co-presented cleft symposium, It Starts with a Smile

Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft organization, brings together individuals involved in providing cleft care for It Starts with A Smile cleft management symposium. The event aims to improve the knowledge and proficiency of medical practitioners and individuals involved in providing comprehensive cleft care for children ranging from newborns to adults.

GSK pushes for more quality time with the family with five times faster (Paracetamol) Panadol®

For Filipinos, family comes first, that is why when pain strikes, quality time with the family is the first to suffer. The brand trusted all over the world puts the power to take away the pain in your hands with fast-acting (Paracetamol)

Panadol®—for quicker recovery and more time for the ones you love. Panadol provides fast-acting pain relief, helping Filipinos improve their day to day lives. Panadol advocates the importance of having pain-free moments with loved ones, and sharing this message together with Panadol is father/athlete/host Ryan Agoncillo.