Flu is nothing to sneeze at! City of Cape Town offers limited but FREE vaccines at clinics

City clinics will have just under 20,000 flu vaccines available this season for vulnerable groups – clients are advised to enquire about their eligibility at their nearest facility.

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that can lead to severe complications, especially for at-risk individuals.

Influenza is a viral infection – should you contract it, you are to rest, stay hydrated, and allow up to 10 days for symptoms to resolve.

Stay at home as far as possible, or wear a mask when venturing outdoors.

Seek medical attention in the event that a secondary bacterial infection develops – symptoms to watch for include fever, rapid breathing, discoloured sputum, etc.

The flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent infection, reduce the severity of symptoms, and lower the risk of complications. Vaccination also helps to reduce strain on healthcare services by preventing flu-related hospitalisations.

This week, City Health took delivery of 18,500 doses of vaccine.

Distribution to clinics is underway, and the vaccines will be available free of charge.

Due to the limited vaccine availability in the public sector, the following groups are prioritised:

Persons aged 65 and older, as their immune system grows weaker with age
Persons with chronic conditions like HIV and Tuberculosis (TB), as well as other lung diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis;
Persons with cardiac problems or a history of strokes;
Persons with diabetes, severe obesity (BMI of 40 or more), or other long-term health conditions affecting the kidneys, liver, brain, blood, or metabolism
Children between six months and 18 years who take long-term aspirin medication
Pregnant women. The flu can cause serious complications for both the mother and the unborn baby.