Discovery Health and Uber partnership brings UberHEALTH to South Africa

Discovery Health and Uber partner to bring UberHEALTH to South Africa

Get the flu vaccination with ease

It is not too late to immunize against the flu this winter, and on Friday 22 May 2015 Discovery and Uber, the innovative app that connects riders with drivers, are making it easy for everyone to get vaccinated with the delivery of UberHEALTH. Between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM on the day, Discovery Health will be providing accredited nurses to deliver flu vaccinations for up to five people per trip requested through the Uber app at a fare of R100. The offer will be open to residents of Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

Dr Noluthando Nematswerani from Discovery Health says, “The key point about vaccinations is that the benefits far outweigh the potential side effects and the discomfort that is caused by the actual illness. Our partnership with Uber which accentuates the convenience of getting the flu vaccination is an exciting way for us to encourage more people to immunize.”

Dr Nematswerani adds, “It is particularly important for young children under five, adults 65 years and older, pregnant women, people who have asthma, chronic lung disease, heart disease and other chronic conditions to be vaccinated against flu as they are considered high risk. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies that provide protection against the flu to develop in the body. With roughly a month remaining until we hit the winter solstice, there is still time for people to get their vaccine and decrease the risk of contracting the flu virus.”

Alon LIts, General Manager of Uber Johannesburg and Durban “ We are really excited to be partnering with Discovery, bringing UberHealth to South Africa. Discovery and Uber are brands that are constantly questioning the status quo, being able to open up the Uber system to distribute this kind of medical care is really changing the way we think about flu prevention.”

Demand for the offer is expected to be high and those unable to get their flu vaccination on the day are encouraged to visit a number of accredited facilities in the Vitality Wellness Network, including Clicks and Dis-Chem pharmacies as well as many GPs before the end of May.

Influenza infection causes significant morbidity worldwide and represents a public health problem with considerable socioeconomic implications. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infections and severe outcomes caused by influenza viruses.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

●The offer is open to anyone using Uber, not only Discovery clients.

●Anyone who is not yet an Uber user can sign uphereand enter the promotional code UBERHEALTHSA and enjoy a free first ride up to R150.

●Discovery Health accredited nurses can administer up to five individual vaccinations during one home visit.

●While the flu vaccination and flu prevention packs 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.

●All Discovery Vitality members will earn 1000 Vitality points following their flu shot.

●All DiscoveryCard holders, who add their Discovery credit card to their Uber account, will have the R100 home visit fee refunded.

●This activation will be for one day only - Friday 22 May 2015.

●Users need to download the Uber App to request their flu shot on demand.

●Users must be 18 years or older to request UberHEALTH.

For further information and updates from Uber follow @Uber_Joburg, @Uber_Durban and @Uber_CT on Twitter and like Uber’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UberRSA.

For updates from Discovery Health follow Discovery_SA on Twitter and like Discovery Health on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DiscoveryHealthSA.

Discovery Health Reputation Manager:

Nozuko Basson

Email: nozukob@discovery.co.za

Uber Media Contact:

Samantha Allenberg, Uber Communications Africa

Email: support@uber.com