Kaiser Permanente Urges its Members to Get Free Flu Vaccination

Kaiser Permanente Urges its Members to Obtain Free Flu Vaccinations Offered Across Southern California

Immunization is the Best Defense Against Getting or Spreading the Flu, a Serious Disease That Plagues Millions Each Year!

DOWNEY, Calif., Sept. 16, 2019 —Kaiser Permanente is holding seasonal flu vaccination events for its members at 50 locations across Southern California beginning Saturday, Sept. 21, where they can receive free influenza vaccinations.

The health care organization is urging its members and the general public to get vaccinated early this flu season, as that is the most effective prevention against contracting the disease that plagues millions each year.

Flu shots for local Kaiser Permanente members will be offered from 8:30am-4:30pm at the following locations:

Garden Medical Offices

9353 Imperial Highway Downey, CA

Drive-thru and family-friendly activities from 11am to 1pm

Cerritos Medical Offices

10820 E 183rd Street Cerritos, CA

Cudahy Medical Offices

7825 Atlantic Ave. Cudahy, CA

Whittier Medical Offices

12470 E Whittier Blvd. Whittier, CA

At 10:30am, City of Downey Mayor Rick Rodriguez will attend the Garden Medical Offices event to lead by example and get his flu shot.

Every year, millions of people get the flu, and hundreds of thousands of individuals end up in the emergency room or hospitalized. It’s highly recommended that the most sensitive populations, which include the elderly, pregnant women, babies that are six months and older, along with those with chronic health conditions, should get vaccinated.

“A common misconception is that a flu shot will make you sick,” said Dr. Margaret M. Khoury, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with Kaiser Permanente Southern California. “That’s simply not true. You cannot contract the flu from getting a flu shot. However, by not getting vaccinated, you put yourself and your loved ones at a greater risk of getting the flu, which causes serious illness, hospitalizations and deaths every year. Most flu-related illnesses and deaths could be prevented simply by getting vaccinated.”

Harmful flu myths and a lack of awareness have caused significant health-related inequities in flu vaccination rates and flu-related complications, particularly in the African American and Latino communities, studies show. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, African Americans and Latinos are disparate populations that experience disproportionately higher rates of chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Subsequently, it’s these chronic health conditions that place many African Americans and Latinos at a higher risk of severe flu complications.

“It’s important to understand the benefits of flu immunizations, which is why we strongly encourage getting your flu shot, and to get it by the end-of-October for maximum protection,” Dr. Khoury stressed. “Getting vaccinated will protect your health, as well as reduce missed school and work days.”

Please visit kp.org/flu or call the flu hotline number at 1-866-706-6358 for information about Kaiser Permanente flu locations across Southern California.

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 12.3 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. 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: https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/

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