Phone calls from Kaiser about flu vaccine for child

[mommytimes2]

Hi, just curious if anyone else is getting barraged by these automatic phone call messages from Kaiser Permanente. We have an unvaccinated 18 month old DS, and the message goes something like, "This is ____, the Chief of Infectious Disease for Kaiser Permanente. Our records show that your 18 month old has not received the flu vaccine for this year's flu season...." So far, I have deleted the message from my machine before hearing the rest. Next time I will listen till the end. I find these messages annoying and also disturbing. Since when does Kaiser think it appropriate to be pressuring its clients so pointedly? Wow, now I don't even need to go to a well-baby visit to hear about how I need to be injecting my child with pharmaceutical products to keep him "healthy." 

Edited by mommytimes2 - 11/14/11 at 1:35am

[nia82]

I get calls from Tricare about me not having had a flu shot for myself. What a waste of taxpayer money. I also get postcards from the clinic on base that my child is eligible for xyz shots on base. Yet another waste of taxpayer money. 

I wonder though if you can make Kaiser stop calling you. I'm sure there's a list you can be taken off of.

[emmy526]

maybe towards the end of the message theres an opt-out for automated calls option for you.  if not, call the ins co directly and ask to be removed from automated calls.  

[mommytimes2]

I called member services and asked to be opted out of these calls. Seriously, we have been averaging one a day. The woman I spoke with was very considerate and hopefully we will stop getting the calls soon! Maybe it is my imagination, but it seems like the vaccine propoganda is almost frenetic these days. Even when I was on the call to Kaiser member services and waiting to talk with a live person, the recorded outgoing message just repeated over and over that everyone needs this season's flu shot. I wonder what it would be like to be a child growing up in this environment of fear about everything from the common flu to whatever else. Weird.

[ma2two]

Can you fill out some paperwork changing your contact options? Suppose you had a friend or relative living in the house who didn't know about your vaccine decisions? They shouldn't be leaving personal health information on your answering machine, unless you have specifically told them they could.

Regarding the vaccine propaganda, it is so out of control at drugstores such as RiteAid, that it has reached absurdity. One of these days, I'm going to pretend I didn't see the flu shot ads on every window and every aisle (not exaggerating), and innocently inquire at the pharmacy whether they give flu shots.

[Youngfrankenstein]

Originally Posted by mommytimes2 

I called member services and asked to be opted out of these calls. Seriously, we have been averaging one a day. The woman I spoke with was very considerate and hopefully we will stop getting the calls soon! Maybe it is my imagination, but it seems like the vaccine propoganda is almost frenetic these days. Even when I was on the call to Kaiser member services and waiting to talk with a live person, the recorded outgoing message just repeated over and over that everyone needs this season's flu shot. I wonder what it would be like to be a child growing up in this environment of fear about everything from the common flu to whatever else. Weird.

I really don't get this.  We delay and selectively vax but we've never done flu shots.  I don't get why they are a big deal.  I thought they were for only specific strains anyway.  We have never had the influenza anyway...

[SilverMoon010]

Originally Posted by ma2two 

Regarding the vaccine propaganda, it is so out of control at drugstores such as RiteAid, that it has reached absurdity. One of these days, I'm going to pretend I didn't see the flu shot ads on every window and every aisle (not exaggerating), and innocently inquire at the pharmacy whether they give flu shots.

Very true.  One of the supermarkets near me (Genuardi's I think) has flu ads down every single aisle when checking out, in case you missed the tons of huge "Flu Shot" signs when walking into the store I guess.

A bit OT, but I also just learned that some pharmacies carry an extra-strength flu shot, the Fluzone High-Dose Flu Shot, approved for those 65 and older.  It started last fall but this was the first I heard of it.  It has four times more antigen in it than the regular flu shot, causing more adverse reactions.  Is this really a good thing for those who are in a category with weakened immune systems?

The push for the flu shot is at it's all-time high this year it seems.  It seems terribly desperate.

To the OP, I would be persistent and ensure they remove your number when making such calls. 

[shiningpearl]

On the flu shot topic... I was just at Walgreen's a week ago and I had to ask the Pharmacist something so I was waiting for a turn, as she finished up the customer in front of me, she said "would you like a flu shot with your purchase today?"  I mean really we are now promoting them as a "side"  like would you like fries with that or do you wish to super-size your order?

[mommytimes2]

Originally Posted by shiningpearl 

On the flu shot topic... I was just at Walgreen's a week ago and I had to ask the Pharmacist something so I was waiting for a turn, as she finished up the customer in front of me, she said "would you like a flu shot with your purchase today?"  I mean really we are now promoting them as a "side"  like would you like fries with that or do you wish to super-size your order?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverMoon010 

Very true.  One of the supermarkets near me (Genuardi's I think) has flu ads down every single aisle when checking out, in case you missed the tons of huge "Flu Shot" signs when walking into the store I guess.

A bit OT, but I also just learned that some pharmacies carry an extra-strength flu shot, the Fluzone High-Dose Flu Shot, approved for those 65 and older.  It started last fall but this was the first I heard of it.  It has four times more antigen in it than the regular flu shot, causing more adverse reactions.  Is this really a good thing for those who are in a category with weakened immune systems?

The push for the flu shot is at it's all-time high this year it seems.  It seems terribly desperate.

To the OP, I would be persistent and ensure they remove your number when making such calls. 

I agree--it does seem like a desperate push. I really hope it will backfire and that more people will start to question whether true health is best achieved through these injections.

And wow, that is amazing that stores are now asking whether you want a shot with your purchase! Craziness!

No calls yesterday or today (sigh of relief).
 

[Imakcerka]

Yeah DH is not allowed in Walgreens.  He's threatened to stand on the check out counter to rant over their pushiness of the flu shot.  Also, he want's to hand out pamphlets in the parking lot.  He's not allowed by me.  Only because I don't feel like bailing him out jail.  And I'm pretty sure it would go there.

[Youngfrankenstein]

Originally Posted by mommytimes2 

Quote:

I agree--it does seem like a desperate push.

I seriously wonder if it's because of how much left-over stuff they had last year.