Kaiser Permanente Is Out Of Seasonal Flu Vaccine - H1N1 Vaccine Is Not Yet Available

Dear LC Staff and Faculty,

Due to a high demand for the seasonal flu vaccine, Kaiser Permanente has run out of their seasonal flu vaccine. It is unlikely that manufactures will make an additional supply. However, you may be able to get a seasonal flu vaccination elsewhere in the community.

KAISER MEDICAL - SEASONAL FLU VACCINE

Kaiser will reimburse members for the cost of outside seasonal flu vaccinations. If you have questions or need more information about the reimbursement please contact Membership Services at 1-800-813-2000, option 4.

There are still things you can do to avoid getting sick:

• Wash hands often. Use soap and warm water or a hand sanitizer.
• Cover coughs and sneezes. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Keep things clean. Disinfect counter tops, toys, and other frequently touched items.
• Take care of yourself. Keep up your resistance to infection by eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of rest, managing stress, and exercising regularly.

For more prevention tips and information on the seasonal flu, visit kp.org/flu

PIONEER MEDICAL - REGENCE SEASONAL FLU VACCINE

As a Regence member you may receive your seasonal flu vaccination from any provider. In-network flu shots are covered at 100%, out-of-network shots are covered at 100% of usual and customary charge. If you receive your seasonal flu shot at a provider’s office, your doctor should bill Regence directly. If you decide to go to another location, such as a grocery store or pharmacy, Regence will reimburse you when you submit your receipt. Your receipt must include the following information for processing:

• Your name and ID number.
• Receipt must indicate “flu shot.”
• Provider name and NPI number.

An up-to-date list of local flu shot clinics is available at flucliniclocator.org

KAISER H1N1 FLU VACCINE

Kaiser expects to have the H1N1 vaccine beginning in early November. Per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Oregon and Washington Public Health official guidelines, the H1N1 vaccine will be given to health care workers first. This is to maintain continuity of care for the community. Once health care workers have been vaccinated, Kaiser Permanente will proceed with vaccination of members within the prioritized tiers:

• Individuals age 6 months to 24 years.
• Pregnant women.
• Individuals living with or caring for infants age 6 months and younger.
• People age 25 to 64 who have underlying medical conditions such as asthma or immune deficiencies

For the latest on the H1N1 vaccine, call the toll-free H1N1 information line at 1-888-595-0005 or kp.org/flu

Be well.