Vaccinations: Flu and Tetanus

Seasonal flu (Influvac)

Annual flu vaccination from the start of the South African flu season, typically March or April. Influvac is the standard quadrivalent flu vaccine for the Southern Hemisphere season. Available for adults and children old enough for the vaccine. Most major medical aid schemes cover the consultation under standard primary care; the vaccine itself is sometimes out-of-pocket depending on scheme formulary. Reception confirms cover at booking.

For more on the current flu season and when to see a GP, see our flu 2026 guide.

Tetanus booster

Tetanus booster for routine schedule maintenance (every 10 years for adults) and for wound-care use after a deep cut, puncture wound, or animal bite. Available at the visit, no separate appointment needed. We can administer the booster at the same wound-care visit if you have come in for a cut or puncture wound; you do not need a separate appointment.

Hepatitis B vaccine

Active immunisation against hepatitis B virus infection in subjects at increased risk. We administer Hepatitis B vaccine for the SA-registered indications, which include, to list a few:

• Healthcare personnel
• Patients receiving frequent blood transfusions or clotting factor concentrates
• People in close contact with high-risk groups (residents of institutions or prisons)
• Travellers to high-endemicity areas and their close contacts

Other clinical scenarios may apply; the doctor will assess at the consultation. The vaccine is given as the standard 3-dose primary schedule (0, 1 month, 6 months) or as a single booster where prior vaccination is documented and a top-up is clinically indicated. Most major medical aid schemes cover Hepatitis B vaccine for the registered indications under standard primary care; reception confirms cover at booking.

Routine childhood EPI-SA vaccines

The South African Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI-SA) covers BCG, polio, Hib, pneumococcal, rotavirus, DTaP, hepatitis B, and measles vaccines from birth through age 18 months. We do not run an on-site EPI-SA programme.

• Public clinic. EPI-SA vaccines are free at every public clinic in South Africa. The nearest public clinic is the right starting point for most parents.
• Clicks Clinic and Dis-Chem Clinic. Both pharmacy chains run paid private immunisation programmes following the EPI-SA schedule, with appointments online or walk-in availability. Most Garden Route towns have at least one branch.
• Private paediatrician. A few private paediatricians in the Garden Route administer routine childhood vaccines as part of their well-baby care.

Adult catch-up vaccines (HPV, MMR, varicella)

For adolescent and adult catch-up doses of HPV, MMR, or varicella where the childhood schedule was missed (Hepatitis B is covered above under “what we offer” for the registered indications):

• Public clinic for free vaccination, where the schedule has clear catch-up indications
• Clicks Clinic and Dis-Chem Clinic for paid private administration
• Private travel clinics in larger Garden Route or Cape Town centres often stock these for adult schedules

Travel vaccines, antimalarials, and yellow fever

For travel-specific vaccines other than Hepatitis B (hepatitis A, typhoid, yellow fever, meningococcal, Japanese encephalitis, rabies pre-exposure) and antimalarial prescribing:

• SAHPRA-approved Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre for yellow fever specifically; the WHO International Certificate of Vaccination must be issued by the centre that administers the vaccine
• Travel clinics in Cape Town and Johannesburg for full travel medicine consultations
• Some pharmacy chain travel clinics for the more common travel vaccines

We are happy to write a referral letter or summary of medical history for any of these visits if it helps the receiving provider.

Dr Ethan Chellan

Dr Chellan administers seasonal flu (Influvac), tetanus booster, and Hepatitis B vaccine for the SA-registered indications at the practice. He holds the Diploma in Child Health (CMSA) and assesses children for flu vaccine eligibility and tetanus indications, including referral to a paediatrician or public clinic where a broader vaccine schedule is needed. Read more about Dr Chellan.

Dr Claudia Lakay

Dr Lakay administers seasonal flu (Influvac) and tetanus booster, including for women planning or in pregnancy where flu vaccination is recommended in the second or third trimester. Read more about Dr Lakay.