One hundred vaccines. That is how many jabs were given by Sr Jana Bezuidenhout on March 27, as residents of Rand Aid’s Inyoni Creek retirement village lined up for their flu shots.
In South Africa, flu season usually starts in April, and usually peaks in June.
Health experts suggest that people, especially those with ongoing health conditions like diabetes, lung disease, tuberculosis, heart disease, kidney disease, and obesity, as well as people aged 65 and older, should get the flu vaccine by late March or early April.
It takes about two weeks after getting the flu shot for your body to build up protection. While it’s best to get vaccinated before the flu season begins, getting it later can still protect you for the rest of the season.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases advises that you seek medical treatment if flu symptoms don’t improve within three to seven days, or if they worsen during that time. People who are very sick with the flu might need to go to the hospital.
“Those at higher risk of serious flu complications should seek medical help sooner rather than later,” says Sr Jana.
Inyoni Creek resident Pam Hadden with Sr Jana Bezuidenhout.
Kevin Doherty, Merle and Roger Matthews, Sr Jana Bezuidenhout, Len Webb, Val Aarons (sitting) and Yvonne Webb during Inyoni Creek’s vaccine drive.
