- The Western Cape Department of Health says it will be offering locals the annual flu vaccination.
- The province is expecting a total of 120 000 flu vaccine doses by end of the week.
- The vaccines will be offered to healthcare workers, individuals over the age of 65, people with cardiovascular disease, and pregnant women.
In preparation for the winter season, the Western Cape Department of Health is rolling out flu vaccinations.
The province is expecting a total of 120 000 flu vaccine doses by the end of the week.
The department told News24 that 75 000 doses of trivalent influenza vaccines had already arrived and been distributed to its facilities.
The vaccines will be offered to vulnerable groups such as the healthcare workers, individuals over the age of 65, people with cardiovascular disease, and pregnant women.The flu vaccine will coincide with the Covid-19 vaccine, and therefore the department has advised that there be at least a 14-day gap between getting a flu jab and a Covid-19 one.
"We advise that people still take the flu vaccine to protect themselves against flu," Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo said.
"However, please note that the flu vaccine will not protect them against Covid-19," she added.
Professor Heather Zar, who worked with the national Department of Health, said the vaccine had many benefits.
Zar added that vaccinating pregnant women could also protect their baby against flu for the first months of life.
The flu vaccines will be distributed to primary healthcare facilities like clinics and day hospitals.
The department will work with old age homes and non-profit organisation partners to vaccinate vulnerable groups.
Residents who have appointments at their local primary healthcare facility will be vaccinated there.
"This year, the quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) will be introduced into the influenza programme," the department said.
"The province has procured a total of 45 000 QIV doses and 75 000 trivalent influenza vaccine doses."
The department was also expecting at least 45 000 quadrivalent vaccines to arrive later this week.
Do you want to know more about this topic? Sign up for one of News24's 33 newsletters to receive the information you want in your inbox. Special newsletters are available to subscribers.