The low-down on VACCINES

Every winter, the flu virus kills 6 000 to 11 000 South Africans. A study warned that pregnant women and adults with longterm medical conditions who contract it could end up with such severe breathing difficulties their lives could be at risk.

But one small thing could help prevent it – the flu vaccine. Like other inoculations, the flu vaccine stimulates your immune system to make antibodies to attack the flu virus, so when you’re exposed to it, your immune system recognises the virus and produces antibodies to fight it. In previous years, flu vaccines have prevented over five million cases worldwide.