Discovery : Door-step deliveries of flu vaccinations to combat 2018 dangerous flu virus

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Door-step deliveries of flu vaccinations to combat 2018 dangerous flu virus

The flu season is almost here which means that the time has once again come for you to take up the annual fight against flu by getting yourself vaccinated to help build up antibodies against the seasonal flu viruses, suggests Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, Head of the Centre for Clinical Excellence at Discovery Health.

On 18 April 2018, from 10:00 to 15:00, Uber will not only be taking people across cities but also flu vaccinations. To help ensure more people have protection against flu and to make it more convenient for people to get vaccinated Discovery Health has partnered with Uber, Clicks and Dis-Chem. Uber drivers and nurses will be available to deliver and administer flu vaccinations at the homes and offices of all South Africans based in all major cities i.e. Johannesburg, Tshwane (Pretoria), Cape Town, Durban and Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth).

On why the flu vaccination is such an essential preventive action, Dr Nematswerani, says, 'Vaccinating against flu viruses is globally recognised as an effective way to prevent severe flu infections. For this reason, Discovery Vitality members can get 1 000 points for taking preventive action. We usually get similar strains of flu to the ones in the US, and given the high rate of complications and deaths reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention following their recent flu season, early vaccination can help reduce these cases in South Africa.'

How to get the flu vaccination delivered to your doorstep on 18 April

1. Make sure you have the Uber app installed on your device or download Uber at uber.com/app.

2. From 10:00 to 15:00, open your Uber app

3. When you are ready to have the vaccination delivered, set your 'pickup' location

4. Then swipe right on your vehicle options to the 'UberWELLNESS' option

5. At a flat fee of R100, confirm your ride and Uber will bring a nurse to your home or office to administer the flu vaccination in a room or office space.

6. The nurse will bring the necessary consent forms and will administer the flu vaccine to a maximum of five people (at the cost of R100).

Standard Uber waiting times apply

When you book your Uber driver, be ready and available within the standard Uber waiting times. With a set number of Uber drivers dedicated to this initiative, there could be a slight waiting time depending on the demand, so please be patient and keep on trying.

Dr Nematswerani says, 'We have seen great numbers of people get vaccinated through this partnership before, we therefore urge everyone, especially high-risk individuals to get the flu vaccine before the flu season starts to enable their bodies to develop the antibodies necessary to ward off influenza viruses and to lower the rate of flu-related complications.' High-risk individuals include children younger than five, people older than 65, pregnant women, people living in care facilities, and anyone with a chronic health condition, such as asthma, heart or kidney disease, diabetes or a weakened immune system.

Additional information is available on the Discovery website at www.discovery.co.za

For media related inquiries, please contact Thulaganyo Khensani Mthombeni on 011 529 0091 or Khensanimth@discovery.co.za

Discovery information

About Discovery Limited

Discovery Limited is a South African-founded financial services organisation that operates in the healthcare, life assurance, short-term insurance, savings and investment products and wellness markets. Founded in 1992, Discovery was guided by a clear core purpose - to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. Underpinning this core purpose is the belief that through innovation, Discovery can be a powerful market disruptor.

The company, with headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, has expanded its operations globally and currently serves over 5 million clients across South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Singapore and Australia. Discovery recently partnered with Generali, a leading insurer in Europe, and has partnered with John Hancock in the US. These new partnerships will bring Discovery's shared-value business model to protection industries in Europe and the US.

Vitality, Discovery's wellness programme, is the world's largest scientific, incentive-based wellness solution for individuals and corporates. The global Vitality membership base now exceeds three million lives in five markets.

Discovery is an authorised financial services provider and trades under the code 'DSY' on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange.

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