VVP encouraging flu vaccinations for business members to keep our workforce healthy and our businesses open
EDWARDS, CO (Sept. 3, 2020) – Vail Valley Partnership (VVP) is partnering with Vail Health, the community’s healthcare provider, to offer flu shots for all members of VVP at six Vail Health and Colorado Mountain Medical locations.
“Now more than ever it is important for Eagle County businesses to support the community and their staff by encouraging flu shots, and we thank Vail Health and Colorado Mountain Medical for their leadership in the community by making flu shots more accessible,” said Chris Romer, President and CEO of VVP.
Influenza, also called flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.
“This year, with the presence of COVID-19, getting a flu vaccination is more important than ever,” said Dr. Brooks Bock, CEO of Colorado Mountain Medical, a partner of Vail Health. “Lowering the number of potential flu cases that visit our healthcare centers for care can help us more effectively combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The more residents that are vaccinated, the more manageable it will be this winter.”
Annually, in the United States on average more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people die from the flu.
“Last spring, when COVID-19 reached our community, we had a mix of people with flu symptoms that very closely mimicked the symptoms of COVID-19,” said Chris Lindley, Chief Population Health Officer for Vail Health. “We want to avoid overwhelming our healthcare system by reducing the overall number of people that are sick in our community. We can do this through prevention and preventive measures, such as flu shots.”
Flu shots are administered to adults at:
- Vail Pharmacy located in Vail Health Hospital;
- Colorado Mountain Medical Edwards office & Pharmacy in Shaw Cancer Center;
- Colorado Mountain Medical Vail office in the Medical Professional Building;
- Colorado Mountain Medical Avon office in the Buck Creek Medical Plaza;
- Colorado Mountain Medical Avon Urgent Care Center at Chapel Place;
- Colorado Mountain Medical Eagle office in the Eagle Healthcare Center.
Walk-ins are welcome. Most insurance companies cover the cost of flu vaccinations, which are $58.
“The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year,” said Bock. “October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but getting vaccinated during December and beyond still provides protection, as flu season normally peaks in January or later.”
Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick, meaning a person may pass on the flu to someone else before symptoms appear.
It is recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices that people should get vaccinated each year. People who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications should get vaccinated.
- People at high risk for complications from the flu and those living or caring for them include: children aged six months until their fifth birthday, pregnant women, people 50 years of age and older, and people of any age with chronic medical conditions; along with people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
About Vail Valley Partnership
Vail Valley Partnership is a 501(c) (6) nonprofit organization that serves as the Chamber and destination marketing organization for Eagle County, Colorado and the Vail Valley. Dedicated to community success, the Partnership leads collaboration for economic vitality. Vail Valley Partnership is the official resource and advocate for business and tourism in the Vail Valley with over 860 members and was named “Chamber of the Year” by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in 2016. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com.
About Vail Health
Vail Health is a nonprofit community health care system with locations throughout Eagle and Summit counties. Vail Health offers a 56-bed hospital, 24/7 emergency care, helipad, urgent care clinics, cancer care, breast centers, cardiovascular services, surgery, childbirth, physical therapy, behavioral health care, primary and specialty care through Colorado Mountain Medical, and more. Locally operated and governed by a volunteer board of directors, Vail Health has committed $60 million to the creation and oversight of Eagle Valley Behavioral Health and $43 million to evidence-based research through the Steadman Philippon Research Institute. For more information, visit www.vailhealth.org.