Phil Ammann
Flu season is coming, and flu shots can be pricy, costing as much as $32 at Walgreen’s or CVS.
Ridesharing technology service Uber is providing a more affordable road to better health, all with the push of a single button.
Thursday, Uber riders in Tampa Bay – as well as 34 other cities – can get free immunizations by just signing up for UberHEALTH. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the company will deliver wellness packs for just $10, and give the option for a free flu shot from a registered nurse for up to 10 people. All that’s required is a suitable indoor location available.
To request a wellness pack, users simply open up the Uber app between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and select “UberHEALTH.” Uber suggests choosing an appropriate indoor location before the arrival. Once the vehicle arrives, the user will then receive a wellness pack for $10, which includes a water bottle, tissues, hand sanitizer, lollipop and recyclable UberHEALTH tote. They also get the option of a flu shot for up to 10 people at no cost.
“The flu affects up to 20 percent of the population each year,” says the Uber blog. “But it’s preventable. While vaccination remains the single best option, less than 50 percent of adults receive a flu shot.
“Convenience and delivery method are both key components of many people’s decision of whether or not to get a flu shot.”
For the UberHEALTH promotion, the San Francisco-based company is partnering with Passport Health, the largest provider of travel medicine services, with clinics throughout the United States. Qualified nurses will handle all paperwork and consent forms, and – as with all Uber promotions – demand is expected to be high, so patience is requested.
Maximum of one wellness pack and ten free flu shots per request, and all vaccinations are appropriate for ages four and up.
