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Free flu shots are being shipped to South Australia, responding to the largest number of cases in more than a decade.
Vaccines are offered to children under five, over 65 and to many other groups, including pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and people with certain health conditions.
"The flu is still circulating in the community, but we have had the highest number of cases for this time of year for more than 10 years, so we started distributing vaccines as soon as they are available. "said Health Minister Stephen Wade.
Since January, there have been 4,485 cases of influenza in South Africa, compared with 1139 in the same period last year.
According to Wade, in the free program, 90,000 children are eligible to receive the vaccine, which remains the best way to protect them from the disease and limit its spread.
SA Health's Director of Communicable Disease Control, Louise Flood, said it was not possible to predict the severity of an influenza season.
"For many, the flu causes mild symptoms that disappear after a few days, but for others, it can lead to serious illness and sometimes even death," said Dr. Flood.
"I urge everyone to contact their GP or vaccination provider to get the flu shot, especially those in high-risk groups."
Australian Associated Press
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