House Deputy Majority Leader and former health secretary Janette Garin said that having flu and pneumonia vaccines for healthcare workers, senior citizens and immunocompromised would help combat the new COVID-19 variant ‘Flirt.’

“Having flu and pneumonia vaccines will help the vulnerables have uncomplicated cases. Will help us manage patients by reducing concurrent infections among Covid patients,” Garin said.

The Iloilo First District Representative explained that mutation of virus is expected and spread of the new variant can be addressed through awareness and proper management of cases.

“It is expected that a virus will keep on mutating but what’s important is the capability of our health workforce to manage cases and for the general public to be aware, hence allowing early consultation, diagnosis and management,” Garin, a doctor, said on Tuesday.

Following the Bureau of Quarantine’s (BOQ) Memorandum No. 2024-48, ordering to conduct thorough screening at Points of Entry visitors from countries where COVID FLiRT incidents have been detected, Garin said the said move was “not that tenable” as there have been vague symptoms and seasonal changes that cause uptick of flu, pneumonia and URTIs.

According to BOQ, KP.1 and KP.2 variations, which are part of a newly discovered subvariants identified as “FLiRT,” a novel virus that is spreading globally and came from the JN1. subvariant, which first became known in late 2023 and was responsible for this year’s earlier infection increase.

The lawmaker also reminded to frequently wash hands, always practice proper hygiene, have adequate rest and nutritious balanced diet as these are essential weapons of Filipinos to crush and flatten the variant.

“Ensuring proper hygiene and being healthy are still two of the best ways to prevent from acquiring the virus,” Garin said.

Based on reports, Flirt variants have been detected in Singapore, Thailand, India, China, Hong Kong, Nepal, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and 14 countries in Europe.