Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island Partners with Local Community Organizations to Help Keep Flu at Bay this Season

PROVIDENCE, RI  – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) is partnering with local community organizations to help keep Rhode Islanders healthy this flu season. Through the months of September – December, BCBSRI is sponsoring flu clinics across the state to provide free vaccinations on a walk-in basis. BCBSRI has also distributed over 2,700 “Flu Fighter Kits”—backpacks containing flu education materials assembled as part of this year’s Blue across Rhode Island—to 18 community agencies providing aftercare to elementary aged school children  across the state.


Kids from the Learning Community in Central Falls receive Flu Fighter education kits as a part of BCBSRI’s Blue across Rhode Island, the company’s statewide day of service

BCBSRI has administered its free flu shot program for the past 8 years. Last year, BCBSRI administered vaccines to nearly 750 people, most of whom lacked health insurance, at 34 sites and aims to maintain the same service levels this year. “Getting an annual flu shot is a simple yet highly effective action everyone can take to keep our communities healthy,” said Carolyn Belisle, managing director of community relations at BCBSRI. “Blue Cross is committed to helping ensure that all Rhode Islanders, with or without insurance, have the opportunity to receive this vaccination this season.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone over the age of six months receive a seasonal flu shot. Vaccination of high-risk persons – including young children, pregnant women, people 65 years and older, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease – is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.  The shot is not recommended for people who are allergic to chicken eggs or who have experienced a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.

This remaining clinic dates are as follows:        

11/4        10am — 3pm                   Center for Southeast Asians 270 Elmwood Ave., Providence

11/4        5pm — 7:30pm        270 Elmwood Ave., Providence

11/7        5pm — 9:30pm         Diwali Fest 848 Park Ave., Cranston

11/9        5pm — 8pm                Progreso Latino, 112 Washington St., Central Falls

11/18        4pm — 6:30pm        MLK Center, 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd., Newport

Schedules are subject to change.  BCBSRI members can get their flu vaccination with no out-of-pocket cost by visiting their primary care provider, a local pharmacy participating in our flu vaccine program or a flu clinic.


Each Flu Fighter Kit contained educational materials for children and their families

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is the state’s leading health insurer and covers more than 450,000 members. The company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, visit
www.bcbsri.com, follow us on Twitter@BCBSRI, and like us on Facebook at fb.com/bcbsri.

 

 

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