Get your flu vaccination this year
Here's why
As we head into the 2024 flu season, getting a flu shot is important to protect ourselves and our loved ones from flu-related infections and complications. This is true even for the fittest and healthiest among us.
We should all get a flu vaccine. But who needs it most?
In South Africa, flu kills up to 11,000 people every year according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). Flu vaccines are important for anyone who wants to lower their risk of becoming seriously ill from the seasonal flu. To get the full benefits of the flu vaccine, you should get vaccinated now, as the 2024 flu vaccine has just become available. Remember, it takes about two weeks after getting vaccinated for the body to build up immunity to the flu virus, so it's best to get vaccinated as early as possible.
Flu vaccines are highly recommended for people most at risk of serious flu, including:
- Children aged six months to five years.
- The elderly aged 65 or over.
- People who have HIV.
- People who are pregnant or postpartum (usually, the first six weeks after childbirth) - the flu vaccine is safe to have while breastfeeding.
- People living in care facilities (old-age homes, or chronic care and rehabilitation institutions.)
- People who have a chronic health condition (like asthma, heart or kidney disease or diabetes.)
Where to get your flu vaccine?
Contact your GP to find out if they offer flu vaccines or visit a MediRite pharmacy near you to get your flu vaccine at the Scheme Rate.
How am I covered?
You are covered for the cost of one seasonal flu vaccine in full, from the Screening and Prevention Benefit every year, if you are considered to be at high risk for severe flu illness. The cost of your flu vaccine will therefore not affect your Medical Savings Account (MSA), if you have one.
For beneficiaries on your Option who are not considered to be at high risk, we will pay the cost of the flu vaccine from your available day-to-day benefits. This includes charges for administering the vaccine, if your healthcare provider charges for it.