Flu Vaccination Urged for Children as South Africa Braces for Flu Season

As South Africa prepares for the upcoming flu season, which typically starts between mid-April and early June, health officials are emphasizing the importance of vaccination, especially for high-risk groups. Dr. Jocelyn Moyes, a medical epidemiologist from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), warns that the flu season usually peaks in late June or early July and ends in August or September.

The flu season can have a significant impact on public health, particularly among vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. The flu season can have a significant impact on public health, particularly among vulnerable groups such as young children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. By promoting vaccination and taking preventive measures, the community can reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization, thereby alleviating the burden on the healthcare system.

The constant changes in the antigenic structure of influenza viruses make it impossible to predict which strain will circulate in any given year. However, the annual influenza vaccine, available in public health clinics and private facilities, can prevent illness and protect against severe disease. South Australia's Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, strongly encourages vaccination, stating, "Vaccination is the best protection against the severe consequences of the flu which is why I encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible."

High-risk groups who are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated include pregnant women and women who gave birth within the previous six weeks, people living with HIV, individuals with tuberculosis, persons of any age with chronic diseases (especially those affecting the lungs like asthma), those who require immunosuppressive medication or cancer patients, people with cardiac disease (except hypertension), those with diabetes and other metabolic diseases, individuals with renal or hepatic (liver) diseases or neurologic and blood conditions, people older than 65, and children younger than 18, including those receiving chronic aspirin therapy.

In South Australia, the flu has already taken a toll on children this year, with 305 diagnosed cases resulting in 28 hospitalizations. The state has seen a 14% increase in reported flu cases compared to the same time last year, with 2,368 cases reported so far and hospitalizations rising from 251 to 268. Children under 5 are particularly susceptible to the flu, yet only 5.7% of this age group have been vaccinated.

To combat the rising cases and low vaccination rates, the South Australian government has launched a new campaign, "Stop the flu before it stops them," aiming to increase vaccination rates among vulnerable groups. Through the National Immunisation Program, the flu vaccine is free for children under 5 years of age, pregnant women, over 65s, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander South Australians, and people with pre-existing health conditions.

In addition to vaccination, health officials recommend other preventive measures, such as covering coughs and sneezes, hand washing, and staying home when sick. A Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody medication is also being rolled out for high-risk infants in South Australia to further protect vulnerable babies and children from respiratory illness this winter.

Why this matters: Other respiratory viruses, such as RSV, adenovirus, rhinovirus, enterovirus, parainfluenza, and human metapneumovirus, can cause similar symptoms and circulate all year round. RSV season in South Africa starts in mid-February, peaks in April or early May, and ends in early June. Pertussis (whooping cough) is another vaccine-preventable illness caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis.

The NICD is inviting eligible community members to join its respiratory health survey, CoughWatchSA, to monitor respiratory symptoms for influenza-like illness. Participants can also register for WhatsApp notifications to fill in the online survey. As for SARS-CoV-2, the virus has been circulating at a low level since the end of the pandemic, with the current dominant strain in South Africa being JN 1, a subvariant of Omicron. There is no clinical evidence that JN 1 causes more severe diseases than other subvariants of Omicron.

With the flu season fast approaching, parents are urged to vaccinate their children, and high-risk groups are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. By taking preventive measures and participating in respiratory health surveys, the community can work together to reduce the impact of influenza and other respiratory illnesses this winter.

Key Takeaways

• South Africa's flu season typically starts between mid-April and early June.
• Vaccination is crucial, especially for high-risk groups like young children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.
• The annual influenza vaccine can prevent illness and protect against severe disease.
• High-risk groups should get vaccinated as soon as possible to reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.
• Preventive measures like covering coughs, hand washing, and staying home when sick can also combat the flu.