Catch Every Kid and Costco Partner to Promote Family Flu Immunizations

SEATTLE, Oct. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today kicks off the second year of Catch Every Kid, Group Health Foundation's effort to promote childhood immunizations throughout Washington state. This year, Catch Every Kid has partnered with Costco to promote flu vaccination and prevention. Millions of people across the U.S. come down with the flu each year. And, while anyone can get the flu, kids catch it most often.

Catch Every Kid aspires to protect 100 percent of Washington children through vaccination, which is the best defense against the flu. Flu is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications such as bacterial pneumonia, other infections, worsening of chronic medical conditions like diabetes, asthma, and congestive heart failure, and potentially even death. Last year, Washington State Department of Health reported 276 flu related deaths, of which seven were from young people (aged 0-24).

"Last year, Washington state was hit hard by the flu and saw a record breaking number of fatalities. This is even more tragic because there's a very good way to prevent flu. In fact, vaccinations help decrease the chance of getting the flu by 50 percent," said Sam Selinger, MD, Group Health Foundation Board member. "We want everyone to have access to the life-saving immunizations they need."

The Foundation also emphasizes the need to vaccinate your whole family against the flu early this Fall before flu season hits hard. Dr. Selinger notes, "Flu and any communicable disease can spread fast, especially with kids. Most people are contagious before they even realize they have the flu." Healthy adults can infect others one day before flu symptoms develop, but young children and people with weakened immune systems can spread the flu even earlier. Once flu symptoms develop, people with flu are contagious and do not feel well for up to another week.  

This year, getting your vaccination is even easier. Costco and Catch Every Kid are teaming up to make flu vaccinations part of your regular Costco trip: just stop into a Costco Pharmacy with kids starting at age four between October 1 and October 31. No appointment needed. You can make the stop at the Pharmacy go even faster by filling out this form prior to your visit. For children between the ages of six months and four years old, check with your local pharmacy or doctor's office.

"We believe everyone should have access to vaccinations, and want to make it even easier to protect Washington's residents by reaching people where they already are," Dr. Selinger added. "In addition to getting the flu vaccine at Costco, you can also ask about other important and life-saving vaccinations for your family, such as Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Chicken Pox, Pertussis, Shingles, and HPV."

The Group Health Foundation is a philanthropic organization in Washington state. Catch Every Kid is a Momentum Fund of Group Health Foundation that aspires to protect 100% of Washington state children through vaccination. We're partnering with Costco Pharmacies across the state of Washington and Cliff Avril, a professional football defensive end, to help spread the word and provide access to immunizations.

For more information, please visit CatchEveryKid.org.

SOURCE Group Health Foundation