Free flu shots offered
to HMSA membersNon-members can get shots
for $20 while supplies last
Free flu shots will be available for Hawaii Medical Service Association members and Medicare recipients at various Longs Drug Stores across the state in October and November.
Flu facts
>> Forty million Americans develop flu each year; nearly 40,000 die from flu or complications.>> Americans miss 70 million work days each year due to flu, costing the country more than $14 billion in physician visits.
>> Flu vaccine is up to 90 percent effective in preventing illness. It reduces hospitalization by 50 percent and risk of developing pneumonia by 60 percent. It also reduces risk of death from complications by 75 to 80 percent for high-risk groups.
Source: HMSA
Longs joined with ISI Health Enhancement Services, an HMSA subsidiary, to conduct the free campaign.
Non-HMSA members may get flu shots for $20 while supplies last.
Immunization is the best protection against flu, a respiratory illness caused by a virus, according to HMSA. It is recommended especially for people age 50 or older and those with a high-risk medical condition, such as heart or lung problems, kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, cancer or HIV/AIDS.
Pregnant women and people who are allergic to eggs, or have Barre syndrome, a rare form of nerve damage, should consult their doctor before getting immunized.
The dates, times and locations of the free shots on Oahu are:
>> Oct. 8, from 8 a.m. to noon and from 4 to 6 p.m., Moiliili Longs, 2220 S. King St.
>> Oct. 11, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Longs in Kapolei Shopping Center, 590 Farrington Highway.
>> Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to noon and from 3 to 6 p.m., Kaneohe Longs, 46-047 Kamehameha Highway.
>> Oct. 16, from 8 a.m. to noon and from 4 to 6 p.m., Kalihi Longs, Kamehameha Shopping Center.
>> Oct. 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Longs in Mililani Town Center, 95-1249D Meheula Parkway.
>> Oct. 21, from 8 a.m. to noon and from 4 to 6 p.m., Pali Longs, 1330 Pali Highway.
>> Oct. 23, from 8 a.m. to noon and from 4 to 6 p.m., Ewa Longs, 91-1401 Ft. Weaver Road.
>> Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to noon and from 3 to 6 p.m., Kailua Longs, 591 Kailua Road.
>> Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kahala Longs, 4211 Waialae Ave.
>> Nov. 6, from 8 a.m. to noon and from 4 to 6 p.m., Hawaii Kai Longs, 377 Keahole St.
>> Nov. 8, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pearl City Longs, 850 Kamehameha Highway.
>> Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wahiawa Longs, 925 California Ave.
>> Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon and from 3 to 6 p.m., Manoa Longs, 2750 Woodlawn Drive.On the neighbor islands:
>> Oct. 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m., Kona Longs, 75-5595 Palani Road, Big Island.
>> Nov. 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m., Kahului Longs, Maui Mall.
>> Nov. 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m., Lihue Longs, Kukui Grove Center, Kauai.
>> Nov. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m., Hilo Longs, Hilo Prince Kuhio Plaza, Big Island.
>> Nov. 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m., Kihei Longs, 1215 S. Kihei Road, Maui.Employers who want to offer flu shots to employees at their work site should contact ISI Health Enhancement Services at 432-9232 to schedule sessions as soon as possible.
