Flu vaccine: ‘It’s not too late’

The influenza, or flu, season in South Africa, which typically occurs over the winter months from May to August has commenced, but it is not too late to protect yourself with this year’s flu vaccination, said Netcare.

According to Dr Pete Vincent of Medicross Tokai and Netcare Travel Clinics, the flu vaccination takes some 10 days from its administration to become fully effective against strains of this highly infectious illness, which is linked to the deaths of many South Africans every year.

“The flu virus is constantly mutating and changing and, while many different types of flu virus strains exist, the annual vaccine is designed to protect against the main flu strains that are likely to be in circulation during that particular flu season,” noted Dr Vincent.

He pointed out that the influenza vaccine is considered by healthcare authorities the world over, including the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa, to offer individuals and communities the best protection available against influenza.

“Getting vaccinated against flu is the responsible thing for all South Africans to do. It is, however, particularly important for those who are at high risk of developing complications from the flu virus, including individuals who have weakened or immature immune systems. One should preferably have the vaccine administered ahead of the flu season, or as soon as possible during the winter, so that the protection it offers lasts throughout the season,” said Dr Vincent.

“The more individuals who have the flu vaccine administered, the better the protection against a general flu outbreak among the population tends to be. Therefore, we not only protect ourselves when we are vaccinated, but we may also protect others who may be more vulnerable to the effects of the virus.”

Dr Vincent further explained that flu negatively impacts the individual’s immune system, making them considerably more prone to developing other secondary infections and potentially serious complications such as pneumonia, which can be life-threatening.

A further benefit of the flu vaccine, and one that is often overlooked, is that even if one contracts a flu infection, the illness is likely to be considerably milder than would be the case if one has not been vaccinated. The vaccine also assists in preventing or limiting serious complications.

“It has been estimated that in South Africa some 50 per cent of flu-related deaths occur in the elderly and approximately 30 per cent in people with HIV/Aids. This underscores just how important it is to protect such at-risk groups of people in particular,” observed Dr Vincent.

According to Dr Vincent, a flu vaccine is developed annually in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) strain recommendations, for both the southern and northern hemisphere flu seasons.

He added the flu vaccine can have side effects in some individuals but these are almost always mild and of short duration. They may include some pain, redness and swelling at the site of the vaccination, drowsiness and muscle aches. Dr Vincent said that a few individuals may suffer a severe allergic reaction, but this is very rare.

The 2019 flu vaccine is available through Medicross medical centres, Netcare Travel Clinics and the pharmacies located within Netcare hospitals.

“The flu vaccine is safe and, while it does not always offer a complete safeguard against infection, it does usually offer a good measure of protection, particularly when the year’s vaccine has been well matched to the strains of virus in circulation. In fact, this vaccine can and does save many lives every year and we recommend that all South Africans should consider having it.”