The Kentucky Association of Health Plans is making a push to ensure Kentuckians are protected from the flu. The KAHP is offering free ride wristbands at the Kentucky State Fair in exchange for getting a flu shot. KAHP can be found at the State Fair in Louisville at the Health Horizon Pavilion from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Kathrine North is Vice President of External Affairs for the KAHP. She said the state fair is a perfect location to reach a wide variety of people.
“The Kentucky State Fair is a great way to meet everyone in a central location. People are coming in from all over the state to represent their counties, and to support their counties and towns. And so, this is a great way to be in one location, where we can offer these flu shots so that no one gets the flu in the year,” said North.
North also said the flu can affect people differently, sometimes leading to hospitalization.
“I mean when we can protect people from going to the hospital. The flu can be very serious. While some may be able to be at home and rest and take the medicine that they get from the doctor. Many times, people are hospitalized with the flu. So, we want to be able to ease that system by providing the flu shot here," said North.
Walgreens is supplying and administrating the free vaccine, with staff on hand to answer any questions people may have about the shot. KAHP officials said they’re committed to building an effective, affordable, and accountable healthcare system for Kentucky. The fair ends on Sunday, August 25.