Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Reminds People to Give Themselves the Gift of Good Health This Holiday Season
Vaccinate Illinois Week is December 8-14
CHICAGO, Dec. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- There is a simple way to stay healthy for the holidays and beyond– get a flu shot. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is part of a coalition spreading the word about Vaccinate Illinois Week, a statewide observance held December 8-14 which highlights the importance of flu vaccines throughout the late fall and winter months.
Flu outbreaks often peak in January and later. That's why BCBSIL and its partners are spreading the message that it's not too late to get a flu shot. The Chicago Department of Public Health, CVS, Du Page County Health Department, Ever Thrive Illinois, Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Public Health Association, Jewel-Osco, Northern Chapter of the Illinois American College of Physicians, Northern Illinois Public Health Consortium, Telligen and Walgreens are all hosting statewide vaccination events during that week.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois will help promote the importance of vaccination by lighting our headquarters building at 300 E. Randolph St. in Chicago December 6-8 with the message, "Get A Flu Shot". We also partner with the Chicago Department of Public Health on the Healthy Chicago CareVan, a mobile immunization clinic which provides free vaccinations year-round. The December Care Van schedule is here: http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/cdph/infectious_disease/Immunizations/CareVanDecemberFINAL12022013.pdf
Flu shots offer the best form of protection against influenza and it's recommended everyone over the age of six months be vaccinated. Flu shots are especially important for health care workers and anyone who lives with or cares for anyone at increased risk for flu complications including infants, pregnant women, young children, senior citizens and anyone with underlying health conditions like asthma, diabetes or a weakened immune system.
"To start the holiday season is a great time to get immunized against the flu," says Dr. Opella Ernest, Chief Medical Officer for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. "Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu especially seniors and children. So give a gift to your loved ones this holiday season and get vaccinated."
About Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL)
With 7.6 million members, BCBSIL, a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, is the largest health insurance company in Illinois. Begun in 1936 in Chicago, BCBSIL remains member owned rather than publicly traded, and is committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and its communities, fostering greater access to care, and working to lower the overall cost of care while improving the health care quality and patient outcomes.
SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
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