Be part of the disease control initiative by knowing the crucial details when getting the flu vaccine. The annual flu vaccine takes less than five minutes and significantly reduces your risk of severe illness and hospitalization. Discover the breakdown of the vaccination schedule, dosage by age, cost in the Philippines, and what side effects to expect in this guide.

What Is the Flu Vaccine?

The flu vaccine, also called the influenza vaccine or flu shot, teaches your immune system to recognize the influenza virus and respond before it causes serious illness. Most flu vaccines available in the Philippines are quadrivalent, protecting against four strains at once. Getting the annual flu shot is the most reliable protection against severe illness and serious complications from seasonal influenza.

Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine?

Anyone 6 months of age and older can receive the flu vaccine. The Philippine Department of Health prioritizes annual flu vaccination for people at highest risk of severe illness and serious complications from the flu virus.

• Children 6 months to 5 years of age
• Adults 65 years of age and older
• Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
• People with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, or heart disease
• Individuals with weakened immune systems or medical conditions affecting lung function
• Healthcare workers and household contacts of high-risk individuals

Flu Vaccine Schedule: When to Get Vaccinated

In the Philippines, the ideal time to get vaccinated is before flu season peaks. The best windows are April to June ahead of the rainy months, or October to November before the cold Christmas months. Getting vaccinated early gives your immune system about two weeks to build a stronger immune response before the flu virus starts circulating widely.

Read this related article to know more about seasonal flu

The recommended flu vaccination schedule by age is:

• Children 6 months to 8 years (first time vaccinated): Two doses, at least 4 weeks apart
• Children 6 months to 8 years (subsequent years): One dose per year
• Children 9 years of age and older: One dose per year
• Adults and older individuals: One dose per year
• Pregnant women: One dose during any trimester

The World Health Organization recommends an annual flu shot because the influenza virus changes from year to year and immunity from a previous vaccination fades over time.

Flu Vaccine Dosage by Age

Dosage depends on the patient’s age and the specific vaccine brand used. Your doctor will confirm the correct dose based on age and health status before administering the flu jab.

• 6 to 35 months: 0.25 mL or 0.5 mL (varies by brand; confirm with your pediatrician)
• 3 years of age and older: 0.5 mL standard dose
• Injection site: Upper arm (deltoid muscle) for older children and adults; outer thigh for infants and toddlers

For more vaccination schedules, you can check our guide for infant vaccine schedules. At the same time you can book appointments with the right doctor for children’s vaccination on NowServing.

Flu Vaccine Cost in the Philippines (2026)

Flu vaccine prices vary depending on the clinic, hospital, and brand. These are the typical price ranges for private vaccination as of 2026.

Free flu vaccines are available for priority groups including senior citizens, pregnant women, and healthcare workers through DOH programs at government health centers and Rural Health Units. Contact your local RHU to check current stock and availability.

If you have an HMO plan, check with your provider whether annual flu vaccination is covered before booking your appointment.

Browse our HMO directory to find your health insurance.

Common Side Effects of the Flu Vaccine

Flu shot side effects are typically mild and resolve within one to two days. They are a sign that your immune system is building its response to the flu virus, not an indication that the vaccine made you sick.

Common flu shot side effects include:

• Soreness, redness, or mild swelling at the injection site
• Low-grade fever
• Mild body aches or headache
• Fatigue for a day or two

Serious side effects are rare. In uncommon cases, a person may have an allergic reaction shortly after receiving the flu vaccine. Vaccination clinics keep medication on hand to manage these reactions immediately.

Tell your doctor beforehand if you have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous flu vaccine or have a known egg allergy, since some formulations require special precautions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Flu Immunization

Can the flu shot give you the flu?

No. The flu vaccine uses inactivated (killed) influenza virus and cannot cause infection. Mild symptoms like low-grade fever or body aches after vaccination are normal immune responses, not the flu itself.

Who should not get the flu vaccine?

Infants under 6 months of age are too young for the flu vaccine. Anyone with a history of severe allergic reaction to a prior flu shot should speak with their doctor before vaccinating again. If you are sick on your scheduled vaccination day, reschedule until you recover.

Is the flu vaccine safe during pregnancy?

Yes. The inactivated flu vaccine is safe and recommended at any stage of pregnancy. It protects the mother from serious illness during seasonal flu and passes protective antibodies to the baby.

How long does the flu shot protect you?

Protection from the seasonal flu vaccine typically lasts around 6 months. Since the influenza virus changes annually and immunity fades, getting an annual flu shot each year keeps your protection current.

Where can I get the flu vaccine in the Philippines?

Flu vaccines are available at private clinics, pediatric clinics, pharmacies with immunization services, and government health centers. You can also browse doctors for colds and flu on NowServing, or consult an infectious disease doctor if you have underlying health conditions that affect your risk.

What should I do before and after getting a flu shot?

There are no preparations needed when it comes to getting a flu shot, but you can do things beforehand like, checking which vaccines you haven’t received yet. You can contact your doctor on NowServing, or if you don’t have a doctor yet, you can find a specialist there.

Conclusion

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that spreads fast and can send vulnerable patients to the hospital. One flu shot a year protects you, your children, and the people around you from the most serious outcomes of seasonal flu.

For more on understanding and managing the flu, read about what causes the flu, explore flu symptoms, or try home remedies for flu at home. You can also consult a doctor online for flu through NowServing.

Book children’s vaccination or adult vaccinations on NowServing, you can find infectious disease doctors and other specialists in our doctor directory.

The post When to Get Flu Vaccine: Immunization Schedule, Dosage, and Vaccine Cost 2026 appeared first on NowServing Health.

For today’s blog, we’ll uncover these aspects of this hair condition. Whether you aim to manage these hair loss causes and tackle the issue head-on or are interested in this topic, this comprehensive guide can help. Let’s begin!

Anatomy of Hair and Hair Growth

Hair is composed of a protein called keratin, produced in the hair follicles in our scalp. Each hair follicle has its life cycle and undergoes continuous growth and shedding. The hair shaft, the visible part of the hair, is essentially made up of dead cells. In other words, the hair shaft is akin to a protective sheath that surrounds the actively growing hair strand beneath the scalp.

Underneath the scalp, the hair follicle consists of several distinct layers:

• Dermal papilla: responsible for providing nourishment to the hair follicle with blood supply and oxygen.
• Hair matrix: located at the base of the hair follicle, contains cells that divide and differentiate, leading to hair growth.
• Sebaceous gland: produces sebum, a natural oil that moisturizes the scalp and hair.
• Arrector pili muscle: when contracted, causes the hair to stand upright, creating the phenomenon known as “goosebumps.”

The Hair Growth Cycle Explained

The hair growth cycle is a complex process divided into three phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen. Understanding these phases is vital in comprehending hair loss and the factors that contribute to it.

During the anagen phase or active growth phase, the cells in the hair matrix divide rapidly, lengthening the hair shaft. This phase typically lasts about two to seven years, and hair can grow up to half an inch per month.

The catagen phase follows the anagen phase and lasts for around two weeks. During this time, the hair follicle shrinks, and the hair growth slows down. The catagen phase is a transitional phase between active growth and hair shedding.

Lastly, the telogen phase occurs when the hair follicle becomes inactive, and the hair is no longer growing. After several weeks or months, the hair shaft is shed, and a new hair strand grows. This phase usually lasts for three to four months before the cycle restarts.

However, when an individual suffers from severe hair loss, the growth cycle can get disrupted. Most of the time cases occur where the hair follicle becomes damaged, which might also result in loss of hair. There can be other reasons why an individual can experience hair loss, like the effect of hair products, conditions like female pattern baldness or male pattern baldness, etc. If unexplained hair loss happens, it’s best to seek immediate help from a health expert.

Common Hair Loss Causes

While disruption of the natural process of hair growth can result in hair loss, other factors can lead to this outcome. Let’s explore the different hair loss causes below!

Genetic Factors and Hair Loss

For many individuals, their cases of hair loss involve genetics. The most well-known form of genetic hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male pattern baldness or female pattern baldness. Androgenetic alopecia is more prevalent in men, with approximately 50% experiencing some degree of hair loss by the age of 50. In women, the pattern of hair loss is often different, with diffuse thinning throughout the scalp.

Genetic hair loss occurs due to the sensitivity of hair follicles to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is derived from testosterone and can contribute to hair thinning and miniaturization of the hair follicles over time. Understanding the genetic component of hair loss is crucial in developing effective treatments and prevention strategies.

Hormonal Changes and Hair Loss

Meanwhile, one of the common hair loss causes may also involve hormonal changes. For instance, hormonal imbalances caused by conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid disorders can lead to excessive hair shedding. In PCOS, increased levels of androgens can disrupt the hair growth cycle and cause hair loss. Similarly, an overactive or underactive thyroid can adversely affect hair follicle activity and contribute to hair thinning or receding hairline.

Furthermore, such hair loss causes can also occur during pregnancy and postpartum and trigger temporary hair loss, known as telogen effluvium. During pregnancy, high estrogen levels prolong the anagen phase, resulting in thicker, luscious hair. However, after giving birth, the dramatic decrease in estrogen levels can push more hair into the resting phase, leading to noticeable shedding.

Nutritional Deficiencies and Hair Loss

Another known factor in the hair loss causes list is nutritional deficiencies. The saying “you are what you eat” holds when it comes to hair health. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron, zinc, biotin, and vitamin D, can contribute to hair loss. These nutrients are vital in maintaining healthy hair follicles and supporting the hair growth cycle.

Iron deficiency, in particular, can lead to iron deficiency anemia, which has been linked to hair loss. This occurs because iron is essential for producing hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen to the hair cells. Without sufficient oxygen supply, the hair follicles may become weak and prone to shedding.

Stress and Hair Loss

On the other hand, factors like stress are a common part of life, but prolonged or intense stress can impact our overall well-being, including our hair health. Stress can induce a condition known as telogen effluvium, which disrupts the hair growth cycle and promotes excessive shedding.

During periods of stress, a larger number of hair follicles enter the resting phase, leading to noticeable hair loss after a few months. Additionally, stress can result in bald spots as it can trigger trichotillomania, a hair-pulling disorder, and exacerbate existing cases of alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss.

Medical Conditions

Aside from the mentioned hair loss causes, various medical conditions can also lead to loss of hair. It is essential to identify and address these underlying conditions to manage and potentially reverse hair loss effectively.

Thyroid Disorders and Hair Loss

As mentioned earlier, thyroid condition is one of the common hair loss causes among patients. The thyroid gland plays a vital role in regulating metabolism and hormone levels. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can disrupt the hair growth cycle and lead to hair loss.

In hypothyroidism, the decreased production of thyroid hormones can cause hair follicles to enter the resting phase more frequently, leading to thinning hair. Conversely, in hyperthyroidism, the excessive production of thyroid hormones can accelerate the hair growth cycle, resulting in increased shedding and hair thinning.

Autoimmune Diseases and Hair Loss

When it comes to hair loss, autoimmune disease can also have a huge impact. The immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body, which can also happen in one’s hair. In the case of hair loss, autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can lead to hair loss in localized or widespread patterns.

Alopecia areata is characterized by patchy hair loss, while SLE can cause a condition known as discoid lupus erythematosus, resulting in scarring and permanent hair loss in affected areas. It is essential to seek medical advice for proper diagnosis and management of these conditions.

Scalp Infections and Hair Loss

Lastly, scalp infection is also one of the most known hair loss causes. This scalp infection such as ringworm, a fungal infection, can cause hair breakage and patches of alopecia. At the same time, bacterial infections like folliculitis, can lead to inflammation and damage to the hair follicles. Thus, it can result in hair loss.

Additionally, inflammatory conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, characterized by a flaky and itchy scalp, can also impact hair health. Prompt treatment of these scalp infections can prevent further hair loss and promote regrowth.

Managing Hair Loss Causes

Hair loss causes are a mixture of naturally occurring situations and consequences from other factors. That’s why loss of hair has been a common problem that many people face. Despite that, there are certain methods that patients with hair loss can try.

For instance, hair loss causes like PCOS, thyroid, and postpartum conditions have a common denominator, which is hormonal imbalance. In that case, birth control pills and other medications can help patients to regulate their hormones. However, it is best to discuss everything with a health doctor before using such medications to know the correct dosage and frequency of intake.

Meanwhile, management of hair loss causes can also happen through undergoing a procedure like a hair transplant. This medical service is effective for addressing various types of hair loss. It involves harvesting healthy skin from the back of your head and transplanting the group of hairs to the other part of the head. Thus, ensuring a better area for hair growth. If you are interested in this solution, it’s best to visit a doctor to schedule a session.

Conclusion

Understanding the common hair loss causes are vital to taking a step towards taking control of this often distressing condition. Whether it be genetic factors, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, stress, or underlying medical conditions, there are various strategies to address and combat hair loss effectively.

Remember seeking professional advice from healthcare experts like dermatologists is crucial for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment options. So, be proactive in your hair care journey, and let us embark together on the path towards healthier, fuller hair.

Book an online consultation with a dermatologist today!

The post Revealing Common Hair Loss Causes: What You Need to Know appeared first on NowServing Health.