Fight the Flu: Kaiser Permanente offers free flu shots to members

Kaiser Permanente’s hospitals and medical offices will again be offering flu vaccinations free-of-charge to members.

The flu can be serious, even leading to death. Symptoms often include
fever and chills, muscle or body aches, headaches, coughing, sore
throat, exhaustion and diarrhea. Vaccination against the flu is your
best defense to stay healthy.

Kaiser Permanente’s flu clinics open September 24th with
availabilities on Saturday and evenings in select locations. Members can
also call 1-800-573-5811or visit kp.org/mydoctor/flu for details.

KAISER PERMANENTE SANTA CLARA, 710 LAWRENCE EXPRESSWAY AT HOMESTEAD:
10/1/16, 10/8/16, 10/15/16, 10/22/16 Saturdays
Conference Center 196, Conference Room A1 - Adults Only
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

10/1/16, 10/8/16, 10/15/16, 10/22/16
Saturdays
Dept 188 - Pediatric Injection Clinic - Pedi Only
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

9/26/16 - 11/18/16
Monday - Friday
2nd and 3rd Floor Homestead East Lobby - Adults Only
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

9/27/16 - 11/17/16
Tuesdays and Thursdays
2nd and 3rd floor Homestead East Lobby - Adults Only
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

9/26/16 - 3/31/17
Monday - Friday
Dept 188 - Pedi Only
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

9/27/16 - 11/24/16
Tuesdays - Thursdays
Dept 195 - Pediatric patients and their families
9:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

KAISER PERMANENTE SAN JOSE, 275 HOSPITAL PARKWAY AT COTTLE
10/1/16
Saturday
Medical Office Building Lobby Level - Adults, Children and Families
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

9/26/16 - 11/18/16
Monday - Friday
Medical Office Building Lobby Level - Adults, Children and Families
Mon, Wed, Fri: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Tues, Thurs: 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

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9/26/16 - 12/16/16
Monday - Friday
Building D Lobby - Adults, Children and Families
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

9/26/16 - 12/16/16
Monday - Friday
1 North Lobby - Adults, Children and Families
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

9/26/16 - 12/16/16
Monday - Friday
Family Health Center Lobby - Adults, Children and Families
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

KAISER PERMANENTE REDWOOD CITY, 1100 VETERANS BOULEVARD

10/1/2016
Saturday
San Mateo Medical Office, 1000 Franklin Parkway - Adults, Children and Families
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

9/26/16 - 12/16/16
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Cypress Building, 1190 Veterans Blvd. RWC 1st Floor - Adults, Children and Families
9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m

9/26/16 - 12/16/16
Wednesdays
Cypress Building 1st Floor - Adults, Children and Families

Do you need a shot every year?

The flu virus changes often and the protection from the vaccine only
lasts for about a year. If you're not immunized against this year's
expected virus strains, you and those around you are at risk for getting
the flu. That's why you should get a flu shot every year, preferably in
the fall. It usually takes 2-3 weeks to develop immunity so get your
shot before the flu season begins.

If you have flu-like symptoms after receiving the flu shot, it can
mean your body is mounting an immune response to the vaccine itself or
you were infected with the flu or one of the many other respiratory
viruses circulating in the community before the vaccine had a chance to
work.

Who should get a flu shot?

The flu shot helps prevent you from getting the flu and from
spreading it to others. Even healthy people can develop serious
complications or even die from the flu — so protect yourself and your
loved ones by getting vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control
recommends vaccination for everyone 6 months or older.

It's especially important for pregnant women, children, older adults,
and people with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, kidney,
heart, or lung disease to get the flu vaccine.

Do children need a flu shot?

Children can spread the flu easily to adults and other children.
Getting vaccinated also helps protect infants (who cannot receive a flu
shot), pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic conditions.

What else can you do to prevent the flu?

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer, especially if you have sneezed or coughed. Also, cover
your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, preferably with your upper
sleeve and not your hands to help prevent passing the flu along.

If you or your child are sick, stay home rather than going to work or
school. If you have a fever, wait at least 24 hours after your fever is
gone without the use of a fever reducing medicine before returning to
work, church, school, or other places where people gather.