PrescribeWellness launches flu shot drive

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — A company that runs a cloud-based communications system for use by healthcare providers, family and others and designed to improve health care and outcomes is launching a nationwide flu shot drive.



PrescribeWellness announced Wednesday the launch of the "A Million More" flu-shot initiative, with the goal of increasing the influenza vaccination rate by 1 million. The company said the drive's core message was that people should get flu shots for their family, community and to protect those at risk, such as children and the elderly, even if they are young, healthy and don't feel at risk for serious illness.



"The flu is dangerous, threatens lives and costs the American economy billions of dollars each year," PrescribeWellness CEO Al Babbington said. "The flu is responsible for approximately 200,000 hospitalizations and 25,000 deaths in the United States each year, yet only 46% of the population gets flu shot immunizations."



The company said the drive would rally support from civic and religious leaders and healthcare professionals, and it has formed partnerships with several state pharmacy associations that have enrolled 300 pharmacies, with the goal of enrolling 1,000 before the peak of the flu season.



"We support this campaign because it demonstrates the healthcare services that pharmacists can provide beyond safety dispensing medication," California Pharmacists Association CEO Jon Roth said. "We think it is important for pharmacists to have access to a program that highlights their role in the community."

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