We realize this year’s flu season will bring new challenges because of the COVID-19 national public health emergency. Your patients may be hesitant to get their flu vaccine, and immunization rates may be lower than past seasons. We want to help support your proactive work of encouraging our members to get their flu shot.
We’ve compiled a list of resources to help your clinic prepare for a challenging flu season. We’ll continue to add more resources when available.
For more information, please visit immunize.org/standingorders.
By providing the flu vaccine, you may be able to reduce the risk of serious flu illness and hospitalization for your patients.
The flu vaccine helps protects against multiple subtypes of the influenza virus and has been shown to reduce flu-associated hospitalizations. According to the CDC, flu vaccination prevented an estimated 58,00 flu-related hospitalizations in 2018-20191. If the flu can be determined early, anti-flu medications can help reduce the symptoms and illness days2.
We appreciate your dedication to protect the health of our members by providing vaccinations. If you have any questions, please contact Provider Services at 877-842-3210.
[Dr. Richard Migliori, Chief Medical Officer]
Dr. Richard Migliori:
As you probably already anticipate, this year’s flu season, combined with COVID-19, will be particularly challenging.
Flu shots are especially important this year to help ensure that we have the health care resources we need as COVID-19 will continue to require hospital and ICU beds throughout the flu season.
That’s why reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses, like the flu, is more important than ever.
Together, we can help improve immunization rates and proactively reduce the impact of influenza.
Thank you for protecting our members’ health by recommending and providing flu vaccinations.
[To help support the fight against the flu, visit UHCprovider.com/flu]
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