With the flu season fast approaching, Uber and Discovery Health want South Africans to be one step ahead by providing riders flu shots on-demand.
Uber has partnered with Discovery Health, Clicks and Dis-Chem to bring riders flu shots for one day only in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth on Wednesday 18 April 2018. On the day, from 10:00am to 15:00 PM, riders will be able to request UberWELLNESS on their app and will be met by a nurse who will administer a flu vaccine in minutes! Discovery Health, Clicks and Dis-Chem have partnered to provide nurses who will be able to administer up to five individual vaccinations during one home or office visit, so Uber and Discovery Health urges everyone to get involved!
While the flu shots will be free, a once off charge of R100 will be charged directly to the rider’s Uber account to cover the cost of the home or office visit.
Alon Lits, Uber General Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa explains, “Due to the amazing response we received in the previous years we are excited to bring this service to our riders once again. We understand that our riders have busy lives and we always aim to offer them as much convenience as we can, whether it’s catching a ride or ordering a meal, so why not beat the bug with Uber without having to leave your office or home!?”
Discovery Vitality members will also earn 1 000 Vitality points for having their flu vaccine.
How it will work:
Open your Uber app between 10:00AM – 15:00 PM on Wednesday, 18 April.
Set your ‘pickup’ location.
Swipe right on your vehicle options to the “UberWELLNESS” option.
Confirm your ride and if you are successful an accredited nurse will arrive to administer flu vaccinations for up to 5 people.
Please note the below
You must be 18 years or older to request.
The accredited nurse can administer up to 5 individual vaccinations at one visit, for a flat rate of R100.
Available in selected areas of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
The vaccine will be at no cost to you: you will only pay R100 to cover the cost of the trip when you request through the Uber app.
On the day demand will be high and as such riders are urged to be patient when requesting. Should riders be unable to request for the flu vaccination on the day, Discovery Health encourages riders to visit their closest healthcare provider or Clicks and Dis-Chem clinic to get their flu vaccination as soon as possible.
Q: Where is UberWELLNESS happening?
A: UberWELLNESS is happening in selected areas of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
Q: What is the flu?
A: Influenza, or the flu, is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system, i.e. your nose, throat and lungs. Many people just let the virus run its course but sometimes flu complications can be deadly. With new strains and strengths of viruses many people are now choosing to vaccinate every season.
Q: When is the best time to vaccinate?
A: The flu vaccine usually becomes available around March/ April, which is the best time to vaccinate before the virus spreads and you catch the flu. Even if you miss this optimal period, you can still get vaccinated at any time during the winter season.
Q: What is the flu vaccine and how does it work?
A: The jab contains an inactivated vaccine made up of a killed virus. Because the viruses are killed (inactivated), the shot won’t cause you to get the flu, but it will enable your body to develop the antibodies necessary to ward off influenza viruses.
Q: How is it administered?
A: It is usually done via a needle jab into a muscle in the arm.
Q: If I am not a Discovery Vitality member, will I have to pay for my ride and pay R100 for my flu vaccination?
A: Anyone wanting to have a flu vaccine through UberWELLNESS will need to pay the flat rate of R100. While the flu vaccination will be free, a once off fare of R100 will be charged directly to your Uber account to cover the cost of the home / office visit.
Q: How would I recognise that it is a certified nurse administering the vaccination, will they have identification/documentation?
A: Discovery and Dis-Chem have preselected accredited nurses within their network to supply and administer you with the flu vaccine. They will have identification with them to confirm that they are an accredited nurse.
Q: What if I have developed an allergy to the flu vaccination, what is the process and who will liability fall on?
A: Side effects are usually not serious and will generally disappear on their own in a day or two. The most common side effects are mild pain, redness and swelling of the skin at the injection site. Other possible side effects include fever, feeling unwell, headaches, muscle and joint pain. Please visit a Dis-Chem and talk to a nurse should the symptoms persist.
Q: You must be 18 years or older to request UberWELLNESS, so can nurses administer the flu shots only to those 18 years or older?
A: Anyone aged under 18 will need signed consent from a parent legal guardian before the vaccine can be administered.
Q: What is the minimum and maximum age to receive the flu vaccine?
A: Anyone aged six months or older. Children between six months and eight years may need two doses of a flu vaccine, given at least four weeks apart, to be fully protected. Please check with your child’s healthcare provider before they are vaccinated against the flu.
Q: Can anyone have a flu shot or should you check with your doc first?
A: There are certain circumstances where a person should not have a flu vaccination. This includes people who have had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past and people who have a severe allergy to eggs. Children younger than six months should not have a flu vaccination. If you are unsure or have any questions, you should speak to your healthcare professional.
Q:Who should NOT get a flu vaccine?
A:If you are allergic to eggs: Some flu vaccines contain a tiny amount of egg proteins. If you have an egg allergy or sensitivity, consult your doctor before taking the flu vaccine.
If you had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine. In this case, check with your doctor first. Some reactions might not be related to the vaccine.
Q: How long will this take, can I do this in my work lunch break?
A: Absolutely. This will only take a few minutes for an accredited nurse to administer the flu vaccine to you. Please select a suitable indoor location prior to UberWELLNESS arriving so that this can be a simple and speedy process.
Q: Is this just a flu shot or can I get other health checks?
A: This will only be a flu vaccine.
Q: Is the needle clean, how do I know it is safe?
A: The accredited nurses will use a clean needle every time they inject the flu vaccine. It is advised to always watch that the needle comes from an unopened package.
