
Those most at risk of having severe outcomes, when contracting the annual flu, are urged to also get their yearly flu vaccination.
According to the World Health Organization, people with underlying health conditions and the elderly, have more severe manifestations of influenza.
The WHO’s Director for Infectious Diseases Management, Dr. Sylvie Briand says getting the flu vaccination can help give patients better protection in the winter season.
Briand says the vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective.
Watch Briand’s full briefing here.
Related articles:
- WHO: Know which symptoms to look out for when falling ill this flu season.
- WHO says there should be a global shift to see healthcare as an investment instead of as a cost.
- WHO to continue working to boost the availability of vaccines.
How would you know if you have the #flu or #COVID19? Should you take both flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine if these are available to you?
Watch #ScienceIn5 to find out ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/A2ekH9jhyb
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 3, 2022

With both flu and Covid-19 infections set to increase in the next few weeks, it is important to know which symptoms to look out for when falling ill this flu season.
The WHO’s Director for Infectious Diseases Management, Dr. Sylvie Briand warns that both diseases present similar symptoms which can confuse patients and leave them unsure of when to see their doctor or community nurse.
Briand says it is important to know the difference between the two viruses to ensure patients get proper and early treatment.
Watch Briand’s full interview here.
Related articles:
- WHO says there should be a global shift to see healthcare as an investment instead of as a cost.
- WHO to continue working to boost the availability of vaccines.
- WHO cautions against abolishing of Covid-19 isolation protocols.
How would you know if you have the #flu or #COVID19? Should you take both flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine if these are available to you?
Watch #ScienceIn5 to find out ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/A2ekH9jhyb
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) April 3, 2022

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases says it expects to see an increase in the number of yearly flu cases being reported this coming flu season.
Professor Cheryl Cohen, from the NICD’s Centre for Respiratory Diseases, says the isolation caused by the Covid-19 lockdowns, have lead to a decrease in the number of people being exposed to the annual flu.
She says there has already been a high number of flu cases being reported, despite the warm weather.
Follow the latest updates by the NICD here.
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- NICD: Patients, who reside in or have recently travelled to malaria-prone areas, should also be tested for malaria if they show flu-like symptoms.
- Valuable lessons learned during Covid-19 pandemic to better fight HIV and Aids.
Have a fever or flu-like illness? – consider malaria! COVID-19 and malaria share many early symptoms like fever, chills, headaches – so, starts as a general ‘flu-like illness. #COVIDvsMalaria pic.twitter.com/QWa10XZyHO
— NICD (@nicd_sa) January 26, 2022