Now you really have no excuse not to get your flu shot.
Uber is making house calls today, Nov. 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to deliver flu shots in at least 35 cities across the US. The one-day offer follows a similar day last year, during which Uber, with the help of registered nurses, served up 2,057 flu shots, according to a paper published Nov. 17 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
The flu shot is the most effective way to prevent the flu, but many adults don't get the shot, despite its low cost and wide availability. Uber, an app-based, on-call driving service, is betting the reason why is a matter of convenience — something the company is all about.
"Convenience and delivery method are both key components of many people’s decision of whether or not to get a flu shot," according to Uber on its website.
And the Annals of Internal Medicine survey, led by John S. Brownstein, PhD, who is now Uber's health care adviser, agrees. Of the 486 Uber flu shot recipients last year who responded to the survey, 78.2 percent said Uber's delivery of the shot was an important factor in their decision on whether to be vaccinated.
This year, Uber's "wellness pack," which comes with the option to request a flu shot for up to 10 people, costs $10. To request a flu shot, open your Uber app during the available hours, select "UberHEALTH" and request a car. Uber noted that you should select a suitable indoor spot nearby for best results.
