Influenza Vaccination Campaign 2011 | Western Cape Government

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Influenza Vaccination Campaign 2011

16 January 2011

The Western Cape Department of Health's H1N1 Influenza vaccination campaign started on 15 January and will run until to 31 March 2011.

As the influenza season is drawing nearer, the department is urging people to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Theuns Botha, Western Cape Minister of Health says: "I want to encourage everyone who considers themselves at risk to go to their nearest clinic for the vaccination. It is a free service that will ensure that less people fall ill this winter. The vaccination campaign is in line with the policy to relieve the burden of disease on our health system."

The Department of Health particularly wants to vaccinate the following groups of people in the next few days:

  • Persons who are at high risk for influenza and its complications due to underlying medical conditions and/or who are receiving regular medical care for conditions such as chronic pulmonary and cardiac diseases, chronic renal diseases, diabetes mellitus and similar metabolic disorders individuals who are immuno-suppressed (including HIV infected persons with CD4 counts above 100 cells), individuals who are morbidly obese
  • Pregnant women - irrespective of stage of pregnancy
  • Residents of old age homes, chronic care and rehabilitation institutions
  • Children under 18 years of age on long-term aspirin therapy
  • All persons over the age of 65 years
  • Children six months to under five years
  • Persons vaccinated in the campaign last year, need to be re-vaccinated this year

People with a history of severe hypersensitivity or other components of the vaccine should not be vaccinated and also those with acute febrile illness should preferably be immunised after symptoms have been resolved. Protection from the vaccine lasts for an average of nine months. The vaccination is available, free of charge, at community health centres and clinics and in order to reach the targeted groups the Department plans to use all measures which may include door-to-door campaigns, vaccination at pension pay points, old age homes, and schools.

Issued by:
Directorate Communications
Western Cape Department of Health

Media Enquiries: 

Sithembiso Magubane
Cell: 071 315 3581