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Experts are now urging the public not to delay getting vaccinated.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases says the 2026 flu season has arrived earlier usual. It says the official start of the season around March 9th, has raised concerns about a potential surge in cases.
Experts are now urging the public not to delay getting vaccinated.
#PODCAST Wellness Wakeup: Medical experts encourage early immune priming ahead of impending flu season #sabcnews #sabckzn @salpatel786
— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) March 16, 2026
Head of the Centre for Respiratory Diseases at Wits University, Cheryl Cohen, says the unusual thing this year is that the influenza season has already started, which is quite early. Typically, the flu season is in winter, usually after the Easter holidays.
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— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 26, 2026
“This year, however, it has begun earlier than usual. People who want to get their flu shot should do so as soon as possible to ensure they are protected, as we expect influenza levels to increase over the next few weeks,” adds Cohen.
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