Flu Vaccination

What is flu?
Why should you get a flu vaccine?
Why your healthcare provider recomended the flu vaccine for you

WHAT IS FLU?

Flu (Influenza) is a worldwide illness that can affect anyone.^1,2
Moreover, it spreads quickly and easily through coughing and sneezing.^1,3
It causes respiratory infections, which can result in you getting very sick, being hospitalised and finally, even dying.¹

WHY SHOULD YOU GET AN INFLUENZA VACCINE?

There is a higher risk of getting severely sick from Influenza if you are:^1,3

Younger than 2 years or older than 65 years
Pregnant
Morbidly obese
Infected with Tuberculosis (TB) or
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Affected by chronic diseases like Diabetes or Asthma
Suffering from chronic cardiovascular or chronic lung disease

Infographic showing how flu affects populations

650,000 people worldwide and approximately 11,800 people in South Africa, die from Influenza each year.^1,3
Up to 5 million people worldwide, including more than 45,000 South Africans, get severely ill from the disease each year.^1,3 What is more, almost 50% of these affected South Africans need to be hospitalised.³
It is contagious and can have unexpected, severe consequences such as, heart attacks and strokes.^1,4
Despite these facts, getting an Influenza vaccine every year is one of the most effective ways to prevent getting the disease, and to reduce getting severely ill, being hospitalised and dying.^1,3
The vaccine also lowers cardiac events among people with heart disease and can reduce worsening and hospitalisation for individuals with chronic lung disease.⁵

WHY THE INFLUENZA VACCINE HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED TO YOU

Different strains (types) of Influenza viruses is the cause of Influenza.¹ Furthermore, these viruses change every year.³ The way in which these viruses change affects how sick they make you, and how scientists adapt the Influenza vaccine to make sure that you have optimal protection against the disease each year.³
At a time when healthcare systems are under immense pressure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to prevent what we can.³
Influenza vaccines are one of the most effective ways to prevent Influenza.³

Your healthcare professional has prescribed/administered the Influenza vaccine from Sanofi Pasteur to you, based on international recommendations to prevent Influenza.³

Well done on protecting yourself and those close to you by getting the vaccine!