Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center Kicks Off Flu Shot Clinic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KAISER PERMANENTE DOWNEY MEDICAL CENTER KICKS OFF FLU SHOT CLINICS ON SEPT. 22

Members Can Access No-Cost Flu Vaccinations and Get Their Flu Questions Answered

Downey, Calif., Sept. 21, 2018 —Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center will open seasonal flu shot clinics on Saturday, Sept. 22. The following locations will offer flu shot clinics from 8:30am-5pm on Saturday:

Drive-up:

·Garden Medical Offices 9353 Imperial Highway Downey

Walk-in:

·Cerritos Medical Offices 10820 E. 183rd St. Cerritos

·Cudahy Medical Offices 7825 Atlantic Ave. Cudahy

·Lynwood Medical Offices 3830 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Lynwood

·Whittier Medical Offices 12470 Whittier Blvd. Whittier

The most effective primary prevention against contracting the seasonal flu is to get vaccinated every year – and early. While vaccine effectiveness can vary from year to year, recent

There are numerous misconceptions and myths about seasonal flu and flu vaccines that prevent individuals from getting their flu shot. These harmful myths also cause significant disparities in flu vaccination by race, of particular focus - the African American and Latino communities.

According to the CDC, African Americans and Hispanics/ Latinos are disparate populations that experience disproportionately higher rates of chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and heart diseases, as well as extreme obesity which are all conditions that place them at higher risk for severe influenza complications. These groups are more often under-vaccinated.

“There are myths out there about the annual influenza vaccine that, unfortunately, many people believe and therefore choose not to get vaccinated. For example, the popular myth that getting the flu shot will actually give you the flu—it’s simply not true,” said Carol Ishimatsu, MD, Kaiser Permanente Downey’s physician flu champion. “Actually, not getting the vaccine makes people especially vulnerable to catching the flu. We strongly encourage everyone to get the flu shot, the earlier the better.”

Getting vaccinated can reduce flu-related illnesses, doctor’s visits, missed school and work due to flu. Influenza vaccination in high-risk individuals has also been linked to favorable health outcomes, including fewer flu-related hospitalizations and death. High-risk individuals include children, elderly, immuno-compromised individuals and those with severe chronic conditions.

To provide more convenient access to the influenza (flu) vaccine, Kaiser Permanente will offer members additional vaccination locations beyond their regular physicians’ offices, including drive-up and walk-in flu clinics. Kaiser Permanente urges all members to get no-cost vaccinations early.

For a complete list of clinic locations and times, and for more information about preventing or treating the flu, visit www.kp.org/flu.

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About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 12.2 million members in eight states and the District of Columia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/share.