Flu Vaccine

The 4-strain flu vaccine is designed to protect against four different strains of the influenza virus that are most likely to circulate each year. These strains are:

• Influenza type A H1N1: This strain has caused pandemics in the past, including the 2009 swine flu outbreak.
• Influenza type A H3N2: A common strain that tends to cause more severe flu seasons.
• Influenza type B Yamagata and Influenza type B Victoria: These strains tend to affect children more than adults but can cause illness in anyone.

By targeting these four strains, the vaccine offers broader protection compared to older vaccines that only covered three strains.

The flu can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe, including fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. While most people recover within a week or two, the flu can be dangerous for vulnerable groups such as:

• Elderly people (65 and older)
• Pregnant women
• Children under 5 years old
• People with chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease

These groups are more likely to develop complications such as pneumonia or worsening of existing health issues. The flu vaccine helps reduce the severity of the illness and protects those at higher risk from life-threatening complications.

The effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies from year to year because the flu virus changes (mutates) frequently. Health experts, including those from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), study the strains of flu circulating globally to predict which ones will be most common. Based on these predictions, the 4-strain vaccine is formulated to offer protection against the most likely strains.

While the flu vaccine doesn’t offer 100% protection, it significantly reduces your chances of getting the flu and, more importantly, can lessen the severity of symptoms if you do get sick. It’s important to get vaccinated each year because flu viruses change, and last year’s vaccine may not protect you against this year’s flu strains.

The flu vaccine is available at both public and private healthcare facilities across South Africa. Many pharmacies and clinics offer the vaccine during the flu season, which typically starts in April and peaks around June or July. It is recommended to get vaccinated in early autumn before the flu season begins. The Department of Health encourages high-risk individuals, including healthcare workers, to prioritize getting the vaccine.