As we prepare for
the upcoming winter season, Western Cape Government Health will be offering
vulnerable groups the annual flu vaccination.
We are
expecting a total of 120 000 flu vaccine doses towards between April and May. This year the quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) will be
introduced into the influenza programme. The province has procured a total
of 45 000 QIV doses and 75 000 trivalent influenza vaccine doses.
As the roll-out of the flu vaccinations will coincide with the COVID-19
vaccinations, there should be at least a 14-day gap between taking a flu
vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine. We advise that people still take the flu
vaccine to protect themselves against flu. However, please note that
the flu vaccine will not protect them against COVID-19.
Healthcare workers continues to be a top priority group for the 2021
vaccinations. The National Department of Health has identified the vulnerable
groups who will be eligible to receive the flu vaccine These groups include:
•Healthcare workers.
•Individuals over the age of 65
years.
•People with cardiovascular
disease (including chronic heart disease, hypertension, stroke and
diabetes) and chronic lung disease (including asthma, TB and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease) and individuals living with HIV and AIDS.
•Pregnant women (irrespective of
stage of pregnancy).
Professor Heather Zar, who worked with the National Department of Health on the
guidelines for the flu vaccination rollout, says the vaccine has many benefits.
“The flu vaccine is currently the most effective way to prevent influenza,
especially for those who are at risk of severe illness. This includes the
elderly, pregnant women and those with underlying heart or lung disease or HIV. Vaccinating
pregnant women also can protect their baby against flu for the first months of
life. In South Africa, flu kills around 10 000 people each year and causes much
pneumonia and many more cases of milder illness. These can be prevented with
the flu vaccine.”
The flu vaccines will be distributed to primary healthcare facilities (clinics
and day hospitals). The Department will work with old age homes and our NPO
partners to vaccinate vulnerable groups. Residents who have appointments at
their local primary healthcare facility will be vaccinated when they visit
their facility.
The vaccines will be administered as soon as the doses arrive at primary
healthcare facilities.