Kentucky Association of Health Plans offers free rides at Ky. State Fair to people who get a flu shot at its site there

Kentucky Health News

The Kentucky Association of Health Plans is hosting a flu shot pop-up clinic at the Kentucky State Fair and — while supplies last — will give away free,  unlimited ride wristbands to those who get the shot at the fair.

KAHP is a trade association representing commercial insurers and Medicaid managed-care organizations in the commonwealth.

The flu shots will be available daily at the Healthy Horizons Pavilion in South Wing B from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of Monday, Aug. 19, when the clinic will be closed. The fair runs from Aug. 15-25.

Medicaid members also may be eligible to receive an incentive offered by their health plan in addition to the KAHP giveaway.

“We see this as a way to help prevent unnecessary strain on the medical system,”  Tom Stephens, KAHP president and CEO, said in a news release. “The flu shot lowers your risk of getting the flu. It also can lower the risk of having serious illness, a hospital stay, or even death as a result of the flu. These incentives have been extremely popular when we have offered them at the fair over the last few years.”

KAHP is working toward improving immunization rates throughout Kentucky. In mid-July, KAHP announced a partnership with Kentucky Voices for Health, a coalition of health advocacy groups, to roll out a messaging campaign to help educate families and improve student immunization rates. The partnership involves a 3-year, $360,000 grant from KAHP.