Kaiser Permanente Southern California Encourages You to Stop the Flu before It Stops You

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kaiser Permanente Southern California encourages you and your loved ones to get vaccinated against the flu. The flu vaccine is the first and most important step we can all take to stay well and safeguard ourselves against influenza.

“That includes following a healthy diet, exercising, getting plenty of rest and doing everything possible to keep our immune system strong”

Seasonal flu clinics will open region-wide tomorrow, Saturday September 29th and are free of charge to Kaiser Permanente members.

“Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine,” said Albert Ray, MD, Physician Director, Patient Education and Health Promotion, Southern California Permanente Medical Group. “We especially encourage those at high risk of serious complications, like young children, pregnant women, people 65 years and older, or anyone with heart or lung disease or chronic health conditions like asthma or diabetes to get their seasonal flu shot as soon as possible,” he added.

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, each year approximately 5 to 20 percent of U.S. residents get the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized for flu-related complications.

“In addition to the flu vaccine, we should also take everyday steps to keep ourselves healthy,” said Gale Ivie, MPH, CHES, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, regional coordinator, flu campaign. “That includes following a healthy diet, exercising, getting plenty of rest and doing everything possible to keep our immune system strong,” she added.

Several Kaiser Permanente events will be held throughout Southern California to celebrate the opening of the seasonal flu clinics, including drive-through flu shot clinics at:

• Diamond Bar Medical Offices, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 1336 Bridgegate Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765.
• Bellflower Medical Offices, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 9400 E. Rosecrans Ave, Bellflower, CA 90706.
• Palmdale Medical Offices, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 4502 E. Ave S, Palmdale, CA 93552.
• Normandie North Medical Offices, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., 25965 S. Normandie Avenue, Harbor City, CA 90710.
• Playa Vista Medical Offices, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 5620 Mesmer Avenue, Culver City, CA 90230.

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

About Kaiser Permanente Southern California

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, our mission is to provide high quality, affordable health care services to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 3.5 million members in Southern California. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal 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/newscenter.