As South Africans do their part in curbing the spread of COVID-19 in the country, the time has come to start preparing for the annual influenza season.
According to National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the 2020 influenza season is expected to begin within the next month.
In preparation for the impending season, the NICD has updated its influenza recommendations for the vaccination, diagnosis and management of influenza for 2020.
“The influenza vaccine has no known efficacy against COVID-19. But co-circulation of these viruses will increase the pressure on the healthcare system,” says NICD’s Senior Communications Manager, Sinenhlanhla Jimoh.
Therefore, the NICD says it is particularly important to protect healthcare workers, to ensure that they are able to continue working through the influenza season.
With the vaccine available in the public and private sectors, why is it important to get an influenza vaccine?
The NICD explains there are approximately 290 000 to 650 000 influenza related deaths on an annual basis.
In South Africa alone, it is estimated that approximately 11 800 seasonal influenza-associated deaths occur annually.
Approximately 5% of these deaths are in children younger than five-years of age. The elderly, pregnant women and HIV patients are also susceptible to the influenza.
Be sure to protect yourself and your loved ones this influenza season, by getting your vaccine.
The full NICD recommendations and the guidelines can be found on the NICD website.
