Uber Pilot Initiative, UberHEALTH, to Offer Free On Demand Flu Prevention In Chicago Today

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Nov 18, 2014, 11:13 ET

CHICAGO, Nov. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In partnership with Vaccine Finder, Uber is bringing on-demand flu prevention to Chicago. UberHEALTH helps Chicagoans stay healthy this season with flu prevention packs on demand TODAY, Nov. 18 from 10 am until 4 pm CST for free.

HOW IT WORKS:

Open up the Uber app
Select 'UberHEALTH' and request a flu prevention kit
An UberHEALTH vehicle will arrive to your location with a registered nurse from Passport Health. Pro Tip: If you would like a flu shot in addition to your prevention kit, please select a suitable indoor location prior to UberHEALTH arriving.
The requester will have the option to verbally request a flu shot from the registered nurse in addition to the flu prevention pack, which includes a packet of EmergenC, water, mini hand sanitizer, mini Kleenex, and a lollipop. The nurse can vaccinate up to 10 people per request.
The registered nurse facilitates all paperwork and consent forms.

Flublok vaccines, provided by Protein Sciences, will be administered by from Passport Health. The Flublok vaccine is appropriate for ages 18 and over.

"Utilizing Uber's technology to deliver flu vaccines has tremendous possibilities," said Harvard professor John Brownstein, creator of Vaccine Finder. "Uber is giving medical professionals the ability to leverage their unique logistical platform to provide access to crucial medical services in a new and innovative way."

The Chicago Department of Public Health reports that the flu affects up to 20 percent of the population each year. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, each flu season, nearly 111 million workdays are lost due to the flu - equaling approximately $7 billion per year in sick days and lost productivity.

Uber launched the pilot program UberHEALTH in Boston, New York and DC on October 23. The response was overwhelming. After examining other markets it was decided that Chicago would be the best fit for the fourth pilot for this flu season.

"The flu is one of the most serious preventable illnesses that we face each year and the key to prevention is getting people vaccinated," said Bechara Choucair, M.D., M.S. Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. "Workplaces and schools have been offering flu shots to individuals for years because people tend to opt in when it's convenient to get vaccinated. The UberHEALTH initiative is an innovative way to bring smart, public health practices to more people and a terrific new way to fight the flu in Chicago."

"We are excited to be able to be able to bring this public health initiative to Chicago," said Chris Taylor, General Manager of Uber Chicago. "Uber saw an incredibly high demand during our first UberHEALTH pilots in Boston, New York, and DC and now Chicago gets the same opportunity. With the support of Vaccine Finder and the Chicago Department of Public Health we are proud to be able to offer this innovative option for flu prevention to the people of Chicago."

For more information about UberHEALTH, visit: http://blog.uber.com/healthchicago

SOURCE Uber