Flu season is set to peak in February, so the best time to get a flu shot, if you haven’t already, is right now. (Seriously, like today.) It takes 1-2 weeks after you get your shot for you to become immune.
There’s nothing good about the flu. It costs Americans billions of dollars in medical bills and lost wages every year. Between 3,000 and 49,000 Americans die annually because of it. The most vulnerable suffer the most: the elderly, pregnant women, and young children. This is especially true beyond our borders where preventable disease plagues children caught in areas of conflict.
Want to hear something perhaps even more powerful? When a critical mass of people in a community get vaccinated, studies show they can completely prevent an outbreak and protect even those who aren’t immune. It’s called community immunity and we can be those people.
It’s not too late to get a flu shot! The CDC recommends a flu shot for everyone older than six months as long as the flu is circulating, and cases are currently on the rise. Can you catch the flu from the vaccine? No, that’s another myth. The vaccine can’t give you the flu. You can read more about these and other common misconceptions about the flu here.
The flu spreads person-to-person, which got us thinking about how we can create a healthier chain reaction that advances health just like the flu spreads that nasty cough you can’t shake for two weeks.
So from now until February 29, 2016 when you get your flu shot, not only will your shot be covered, we’ll also make a donation to cover a medical checkup or other critical health service for children in Syria as part of the response to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis since World War II.
Just stop by your local Walgreens, Duane Reade, or CVS and get your flu shot. It’s free with your plan, and you don’t need an appointment. (Please note: CVS Minute Clinics are not in-network.) Not sure where to go? Do a quick search for nearby pharmacies. Once we process your claim, we’ll send you a confirmation email to thank you for participating.
Being part of the Oscar family means taking care of ourselves and others, so help us spread the health! If you’re inspired to learn more about the emergency efforts happening in Syria, you can learn more and make a personal donation here.
Note: $3.30 will be donated to an international children’s charity for every Oscar member who gets a flu shot from January 27 to February 29, 2016 up to a maximum of $50,000. The $3.30 donation by Oscar is not tax deductible for customers.