By Mandisi Majavu
THE city's health department is offering a free flu vaccination to the aged and persons at "increased risk" of contracting influenza. This comes when the notorious period of contracting influenza, May to September, is nigh.
People who are at increased risk are those with chronic lung / heart disease, diabetes, chronic renal (kidney) failure as well as those with a weakened immune system, according to the health department.
However all those who qualify for the vaccine need to keep in mind that a two-week period is needed to allow the vaccine to do its work efficiently and to ensure enough time for the flu antibodies to develop. The flu vaccine is available in all government clinics in all the city's 11 regions.
To get immunised, visit your nearest clinic or contact the following regional Joburg People's Centres for further details:
| Region 1 & 2 | Diepsloot/Midrand/Ivory Park | 203 3605 |
| Region 3 | Sandton | 881 6053/71 |
| Region 4 | Northcliff/Rosebank | 718 9612/3 |
| Region 5 | Roodepoort | 761 0145 |
| Region 6 | Doornkop/Soweto | 986 0052 / 0272 |
| Region 7 | Alexandra | 531 5594 |
| Region 8 | Inner City | 376 8600 |
| Region 9 | Johannesburg South | 681 8044 |
| Region 10 | Diepkloof/Meadowlands | 989 8000 / 8060 |
| Region 11 | Ennerdale / Orange Farm | 213 0056 |
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