10-05-2025
Thornhill Manor leads the way in early flu vaccination
Thornhill Manor leads the way in early flu vaccination
With South Africa's 2025 flu season arriving earlier than expected, retirement communities are ramping up efforts to protect their most vulnerable.
At Thornhill Manor, a Rand Aid-run retirement village, over 100 residents signed up for the flu vaccine drive that kicked off in April
The initiative, supported by Dis-Chem, saw the pharmacy group assisting with the vaccine order and providing a nurse to help the village's own, Sister Joanne Bosman, with administering the vaccines.
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'Flu vaccines are crucial for the elderly to reduce the risk of serious flu complications, hospitalisations and death, especially as their immune systems weaken with age,' said Joanne.
The vaccination drive was rolled out over several days.
Similar drives took place at Rand Aid's sister village, Elphin Lodge, as well as the Ron Smith Care Centre. and Inyoni Creek.
According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), South Africa's 2025 flu season began during the week of March 24 – the earliest start since 2010.
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Vulnerable populations, including seniors, are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
As flu viruses evolve annually, health authorities recommend yearly vaccinations and stress that it's never too late to receive protection.
'We are ensuring our residents are safeguarded through proactive measures and accessible primary healthcare,' said Jackie Scott, the village's deputy manager.
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