BATON ROUGE, La. – Before carving pumpkins, planning costumes or buying candy, make sure you take care of a critical health need by Oct. 31 – getting your annual flu shot.
“The flu shot is your best way to prevent getting the virus in any year, but it’s especially important this year, since our healthcare system is still fighting COVID-19,” said Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Medical Director Dr. Larry Simon. “I’d encourage everyone to get in touch with your healthcare provider or pharmacist to ask about getting the flu shot if you have not done so already.”
Simon added that getting the flu shot in October offers solid protection through the peak of flu season. “Flu cases typically start in late September or early October, but we see the most cases in late winter, and flu season can last until the spring,” Simon said. “Get your flu shot by the end of this month so you’ll be protected and can avoid spreading the virus to others as we head into the holidays and start spending more time indoors because of cooler weather.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months of age and older get a flu shot. It’s especially important for young children, pregnant women, adults 60+ years old and anyone who has chronic medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease or asthma, as these groups are at a higher risk for severe complications from the flu.
Most health plans and Medicare and Medicaid plans cover the annual flu shot for $0 or very low cost.
This Wednesday, Oct. 7, Simon will host Direct from The Doctors: Keeping Up with Care along with Sandra Williams, a nurse who is a health coach with Blue Cross’ Care Management team.
They will share why it’s so important to get the flu shot and why everyone– particularly older adults – should have an annual wellness visit and reschedule any screenings or tests they put off earlier this year because of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.
WHAT: Direct from The Doctors: Keeping Up with Care (a Facebook Live event)
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 7 - noon-12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Facebook page, www.facebook.com/BlueCrossLA.
Viewers can post questions before, during or after the event at www.facebook.com/BlueCrossLA.
Viewers can also visit the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana YouTube channel to see past broadcasts or short videos with the clinical team and others discussing various health topics. Subscribe to know when new videos are added. You can also connect with Blue Cross on social media for regular updates.
For information about why it’s important to get the flu shot, visit www.bcbsla.com/keepupwithcare.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is committed to our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians. Founded in New Orleans in 1934, we are a tax-paying nonprofit health insurer with offices in every major region to serve our customers. We were recognized in 2019 and 2020 as an honoree of The Civic 50, named by Points of Light as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. We are a private mutual company, owned by our policyholders, with an independent Louisiana Board of Directors and no shareholders. We invite all Louisianians to visit our website at www.bcbsla.com or talk to us on social media.
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