Protect yourself from the flu in 2024 with a flu vaccination

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Let's kick off with 3 good reasons to get your flu vaccination this year.

Flu (influenza) is caused by a virus which spreads through respiratory droplets released by the body when we breathe out - when we talk, cough or sneeze. Some people can get very sick from the flu virus.

1. The flu vaccine will help to lower your risk of becoming sick with flu. And, if you do get flu, you'll recover faster. This means you're not infectious for as long, which helps limit the spread of infection to others.
2. If you're at a high risk of developing serious influenza illness - like bronchitis and pneumonia - this vaccine is a must.
3. If you live with a person who is at high risk of serious illness from flu, your vaccine is also a must.

"Preventative measures to help protect us from influenza infection include washing hands, wearing masks, practising social distancing, ensuring spaces are well ventilated and isolating when we are sick," says Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, Discovery Health's Chief Clinical Officer. "Flu vaccines are important in adding a protective layer to our overall armour against influenza."

Did you know that flu and can cause serious illness?

"Most people who get flu have mild illness with symptoms like fever, a dry cough, headaches, muscle and joint pains, a sore throat and runny nose, and generally feeling unwell. For some people, getting the flu can result in complications like bronchitis or pneumonia, which may result in them going to hospital," explains Dr Nematswerani.

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are around one billion cases of seasonal flu each year.
• WHO also reports that 290,000 to 650,000 people die of flu-related causes every year worldwide.
• In South Africa, influenza kills between 7,000 to 12,000 people every year according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
• Read the NICD's Influenza fact sheet for more information.

When should I get my flu shot?

To get the full benefits of the flu vaccine, you should get vaccinated before the start of the flu season which on average is the first week of June. You can get vaccinated as soon as the 2024 flu vaccine becomes available, which is usually in March or early April. However, the vaccination will still protect you against severe flu and its complications if you have it at any point during the flu season. "It's good to get vaccinated early every year to make sure you're protected against the latest strains of the flu virus," adds Dr Nematswerani. According to Dr Nematswerani, flu vaccines are important for anyone who wants to lower their risk of becoming seriously ill from the seasonal flu.

We should all get a flu vaccine. But who needs it most?

"While anyone can get seriously ill from flu, there are some groups of people who are particularly at risk. These groups should get a flu vaccine annually and consider going for it as early in the season as possible," says Dr Nematswerani.

Flu vaccines are highly recommended for people most at risk of serious flu, including:

1. Children aged six months to five years.
2. People aged 65 or over.
3. People who have HIV.
4. People who are pregnant or postpartum (usually, the first six weeks after childbirth) - the flu vaccine is safe to have while breastfeeding.
5. People living in care facilities (old-age homes, or chronic care and rehabilitation institutions).
6. People who have a chronic health condition (like asthma, heart or kidney disease, diabetes and so on).
7. People who have a weakened immune system.

Dr Nematswerani adds, "Anyone who lives with or interacts with people at a high risk of developing severe illness from the flu should also make a point of getting their vaccination. This will lower the risk of them becoming infected with flu and passing it on to others."

How do my scheme benefits cover my flu shot?

If you are considered a high risk, the Screening and Prevention Benefit will cover your flu shot every year.

If you are not considered to be a high risk, your flu shot is covered from your available day-to-day benefits, if applicable.

If your healthcare provider charges for giving you the vaccine, we will pay for these costs from your available day-to-day benefits.

Where can you get your flu vaccine?

Book a visit at your healthcare provider or nearest pharmacy for your shot. Call them before you go to make sure they have the flu vaccine in stock. You can also find and make a booking with a healthcare provider using the Discovery Health App

References

https://www.nicd.ac.za/flu-season-is-around-the-corner/