Passport Health, HealthMap Vaccine Finder, and Uber are partnering today to deliver no-cost flu vaccinations and flu prevention packs to Uber users in Boston and Washington, D.C. The partnership is a one-day pilot project.
The flu impacts up to 20 percent of Americans each year, and finding innovative ways to deliver flu vaccines and a “Be FluFree” message is a priority not just for Passport Health, but for immunization advocates everywhere.
Today’s first-ever UberHEALTH project pairs Uber driver partners with Passport Health nurses to deliver no-cost flu vaccines and flu-prevention packs to UberHEALTH users in Boston and Washington, D.C. The project is in conjunction with HealthMap Vaccine Finder. Uber has also partnered with Pager to provide flu prevention packs and flu vaccines in New York City.
The CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months of age receives a flu vaccine each year. Still, less than 40 percent of Americans get the flu shot. Healthy People 2020, which provides a 10-year agenda for improving the nation’s health, has set a target vaccination rate of 70 percent for all Americans.
With fewer Americans seeking flu vaccines in a traditional setting, we know that making a 70 percent vaccination rate a reality will take innovation and partnership. That’s why Passport Health is excited to be working with UberHEALTH and HealthMap Vaccine Finder to bring flu prevention packs and flu vaccines directly to Uber users with a single touch of a button.
The service will be available at no cost today only from 10 am until 3 pm EST in Boston, Washington, D.C. and New York. Riders will have the option to select “UberHEALTH” in the Uber app, and once confirmed, a registered nurse will deliver a flu prevention pack and provide the option to receive a flu shot. For every shot given, Uber will donate $5 to the Red Cross to support vaccination efforts for children including its Measles & Rubella Initiative.
“We’re always looking at ways to improve flu vaccination rates,” said Melanie Kohr, Passport Health’s Vice President of Clinic Operations. “Pairing our nurses with Uber driver partners gives us the chance to really make an impact on people’s health this flu season, and for us that’s truly exciting.”
For over 20 years, Passport Health has provided its clients with protection against vaccine-preventable diseases, including the flu. This year, Passport Health launched FluFree.com, a web site designed to address the growing gap between the need for vaccination and the number of people who actually chose to get vaccinated.
“We all know the flu is miserable, but not everyone who has access to the flu vaccine gets one,” said Fran Lessans, RN, MS, Founder, President and CEO of Passport Health. “FluFree’s mission is to educate people on just how serious the flu is, and to promote awareness of and accessibility to the flu vaccine.”
Passport Health has taken on large-scale public health partnerships and initiatives in the past. Passport Health was a first responder to the Anthrax attacks in 2001, and our company has participated in numerous vaccine trials. Now, with its focus turned to influenza, Passport Health is excited to be working with UberHEALTH and HealthMap Vaccine Finder to help make Boston and Washington DC FluFree. To learn more about the UberHEALTH campaign, visit https://blog.uber.com/health.
For more information on influenza, flu vaccines and flu safety, visit passporthealthusa.com or contact a Passport Health immunization specialist at 1-844-FLU-FREE.
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