If you want to get a flu shot today, call an Uber cab.
Uber launched a service called UberHEALTH, which is offering flu shots to people in three cities. Uber customers in Boston, New York and Washington, D.C., can participate in this drive for flu-prevention today, Thursday October 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Uber teamed up with a service called Vaccine Finder to offer this service. Vaccine Finder is a service, created by Google, which allows you to search the nearest place to you which offers inoculations.
Uber has added an option to request a registered nurse at the same time as you call an Uber cab. The nurse would provide flu shots and flu prevention kits for up to ten people, for free with your Uber ride. Additionally, Uber is donating $5 to the Red Cross towards vaccinating children for every shot ordered today.
This is a great option for people who need flu shots quickly and conveniently. John Brownstein, a professor at Harvard, said that he convinced Uber to try this project last summer. Brownstein sees a future for this kind of merging of health care and convenience.
"[You] don't necessarily want people crowding and traversing cities to get access to vaccines," Brownstein said.
The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over the age of six months. That recommendation has been in place since 2010. People at additional risk for the flu, such as children, elderly people, or people with weakened immune systems, should especially consider being vaccinated. The vaccine is not recommended for infants under the age of six months, or people who are allergic to ingredients used in the vaccine, such as egg, gelatin, or any antibiotic in the vaccine.
If you missed the Uber deal but still want to be vaccinated, convenient flu vaccines may be offered at other locations in your area. You can search for locations by using https://vaccinefinder.org/.
This is only one of the many limited-time options Uber has added to its service. Last summer, Uber drivers provided free door-to-door delivery of air conditioners for a flat $300 fee. Uber also had its drivers deliver diapers, shampoo, and other drug store items.
