As influenza cases begin to climb ahead of winter, the City of Cape Town is urging vulnerable residents to get vaccinated, Cape {town} Etc reports.
City clinics are in the process of receiving nearly 18 500 flu vaccine doses, with all facilities expected to be stocked by 24 April. The rollout comes as the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has already flagged an uptick in flu cases.
Health officials say the vaccination drive will prioritise high-risk groups, including the elderly, pregnant women and individuals living with chronic conditions.
‘For most people, the flu requires bed rest, hydration and some pain and fever medication, but it can have severe complications for at-risk individuals,’ said City’s MMC for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
‘That is why we are encouraging these groups to get a flu vaccine to prevent the risk of infection, but also to minimise the risk of complications should they get sick.’
Who should get vaccinated?
Public sector facilities will prioritise the following groups:
- Persons aged 65 and older
- Individuals with chronic conditions such as HIV, tuberculosis (TB), heart, lung or kidney diseases, diabetes and severe obesity.
- Children between six months and 18 years on long-term aspirin therapy
- Pregnant and post-partum women
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The City emphasised that vaccination not only helps prevent infection but can also reduce the severity of symptoms and ease pressure on healthcare systems by lowering hospitalisation rates.
‘This call is not limited to the public sector. Many private healthcare providers also offer vaccines, so if you have access to those networks, please use the opportunity to protect yourself and your family,’ Higham added.
Staying protected this flu season
Alongside vaccination, residents are encouraged to maintain good hygiene practices to limit the spread of infection.
This includes coughing into your elbow rather than your hands, washing hands regularly and thoroughly and staying home when experiencing symptoms. Those who need to be in public while unwell are advised to wear a mask.
Health officials also caution residents to monitor symptoms closely, particularly signs of secondary infection such as persistent fever, rapid breathing or discoloured sputum, and to seek medical attention where necessary.
With flu cases already on the rise, the City says early vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect both individuals and the broader community this winter.
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Picture: CDC / Unsplash
