Winter Safely - Get your flu vax in time for Winter season

Winter is upon us, and with more time spent indoors, we are more susceptible to seasonal illnesses and viruses such as the influenza virus, most commonly known as the flu.

Staying protected this winter means staying up to date with your flu vaccination. This simple step is one of the best ways to maintain strong immunity and reduce your risk of serious illness. It's especially important, as we anticipate increased flu circulation in the coming months. Factors such as more frequent indoor gatherings and reduced population immunity are expected to drive higher rates of infection.

The 2025 influenza season began earlier than usual, starting in week 13 (beginning 24 March 2025), when flu detections in hospitalised patients exceeded the seasonal threshold. “This early onset serves as a timely reminder: now is the right time to get vaccinated and help protect yourself and your community”, said Charlene Lawrence, Deputy Director, Communicable Diseases Control WCDHW.

The Western Cape Government Department of Health and Wellness procured 105 000 doses for 2025. From early April to date approximately 20 000 flu vaccines have been administered.

“Our provincial target is 100% utilisation of the doses that we procured. So far, our flu vaccination programme is doing well, and we cannot thank our residents enough. The flu vaccine is free at our province’s healthcare facilities to people who are vulnerable to waning immunity and serious illness. Those individuals not eligible for free vaccination can still get it via their private doctor or pharmacy,” said Charlene Lawrence.

The flu vaccine has a proven safety record and, in rare instances, only causes very mild reactions, such as soreness at the injection site, mild fever, or headache.

Groups recommended to receive free influenza vaccination include healthcare workers, persons aged ≥ 65 years, persons with underlying chronic health conditions, HIV–infected individuals, pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy including up to 6 weeks postpartum, residents of old-age homes, chronic care and rehabilitation institutions, any persons wishing to minimise the risk of influenza acquisition. Individuals at risk for severe illness are encouraged to seek the influenza vaccine from either a public health facility or privately (at a cost) through general practitioners and pharmacies.

If you suffer from any one of the diseases listed below,  we urge you to get the flu vaccine:

• Chronic pulmonary disease (progressive lung diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and some forms of bronchiectasis).
• Cardiovascular disease except hypertension (conditions relating to narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to heart attack, chest pain or stroke).
• Renal, also known as kidney failure, liver disease, neurological (disorder of the nervous system) and diseases which primarily affect the blood such as haematological disorders.
• Metabolic disorders, including diabetes mellitus.
• Morbid obesity and immunosuppression, including HIV-infected persons.

Transmission of the flu virus

You’re most likely to catch the flu virus if you’re in close contact with someone who’s infected. The flu virus mainly spreads through droplets when infected people cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are close by. You can also catch the flu by touching a surface or an object that has the flu virus on it and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose.

Signs and symptoms: 

• Acute upper respiratory symptoms: dry cough, sore throat
• Sudden onset of fever
• General discomfort, headache, fatigue, muscle pain and body aches, cold shivers and hot sweats
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhoea, however, this is more common in children than adults

To prevent transmission of influenza to others, patients should:

• Stay at home until symptoms have resolved (at least 24 hours after fever)
• Avoid close contact with others, especially those at high risk for severe influenza
• Avoid close contact, such as kissing or sharing drinks
• Cover coughs and sneezes (cover mouth and nose with a tissue or cough or sneeze into an elbow)
• Wear a tight-fitting mask, especially in public places
• Wash hands with soap and water or disinfect with an alcohol-based hand rub regularly
• Limit the number of visitors
• Wipe down surfaces that are frequently touched or shared (doorknobs, remote controls) with a standard household disinfectant