South Africa’s annual flu season has arrived earlier than usual this year. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirmed that influenza began circulating in the week of 24 March 2025, marking the earliest onset of the flu season since 2010. They said it’s not too late to get the flu shot.
Prof. Cheryl Cohen, head of the Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis at the NICD, said the early arrival of the flu season doesn’t necessarily mean this year’s outbreak will be more severe.
“It does mean now is the time to get the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is particularly recommended for people with high risk of severe illness,” advised Cohen.
“This includes pregnant women, people living with HIV, individuals with chronic diseases like diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, tuberculosis, kidney disease or obesity, older adults aged 65 years and older, and also children younger than two years.”
Prof. Cheryl Cohen
While many people recover from the flu within a few days, these high-risk groups are at risk of serious illness, hospitalisation, or even death.
Cohen strongly encouraged them to get the flu vaccine as soon as possible and to seek prompt medical care if flu symptoms arise. The vaccine is available at public health clinics, pharmacies, and private doctors’ offices.
Reducing the spread of flu
Although the vaccine is ideally administered before flu season begins, it’s not too late. Immunity develops about two weeks after vaccination, and because flu viruses change each year, annual vaccination is necessary, the NICD explained.
Healthcare workers are also being urged to get vaccinated – not only to protect themselves, but also to prevent the spread of flu to vulnerable patients.
“You have to take the flu vaccine each year because the vaccine is updated annually, because new influenza strains circulate each year,” Cohen noted.
“This year, the NICD is running the Cough Watch SA surveillance programme, where members of the public can sign up and contribute information to track influenza by reporting their symptoms each week.”
In addition to vaccination, the NICD recommends basic hygiene practices to curb transmission. These include frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and staying home when unwell.
If symptoms worsen or fail to improve within three to seven days, seek medical attention. Healthcare workers are also advised to consider influenza when diagnosing patients with respiratory symptoms this season.
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