In The News

(French Camp, CA) – Health Plan, in partnership with San Joaquin County Public Health Services and Stanislaus County Health Services Agency has implemented a multi-media flu prevention campaign to reach members and residents in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, El Dorado, and Alpine counties during the 2025-2026 flu season.

This year’s campaign focuses on two priorities:

• Community-wide flu prevention, encouraging vaccination for all residents to reduce preventable illness and ease the burden of flu-related hospitalizations
• Engaging parents and caretakers of Health Plan’s youngest members- children ages 6 to 24 months- where flu vaccination rates are the lowest and the risk of serious illness is high.

“Our partnership reflects a united front,” said Dr. Lakshmi Dhanvanthari, Chief Medical Office at Health Plan.  “Flu vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect babies from serious illness such as respiratory viruses that frequently result in trips to the emergency room and long hospital stays. This experience can be scary for children and their parents. Our data shows that parents are open to other routine vaccines but often have concerns about the flu vaccine. Our goal is that we engage parents and caregivers to get curious, talk with their child’s doctor and consider the flu shot this winter- before they become sick.”

The campaign promotes community-wide dialogue about flu vaccine safety in healthcare settings, schools, childcare centers, and at local events and health fairs. Running September through March, the awareness effort ensures that families and community members have access to reliable information, a flu shot locator tool, and no-cost vaccination sites throughout the region.

San Joaquin County Public Health Officer, Dr. Maggie Park, states, “Partnerships like this are vital to building healthier communities. Together, we are raising awareness, addressing myths, and making flu prevention more accessible for families. Protecting children and reducing the spread of flu takes all of us working together — from parents and caregivers to health providers and community organizations.”

Dr. Thea Papasozomenos, Stanislaus County’s Public Health officer, stated, “During the last flu season, Stanislaus County recorded a pediatric flu death, which served as a heartbreaking reminder that influenza can be life-threatening, especially for young children. The flu is not just a seasonal inconvenience; it can lead to serious illness or even death. Flu prevention starts with community action. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is through annual vaccination. Partnering with Health Plan allows us to reach more families with this message and make flu prevention a shared community effort.”

Resources for flu prevention and details about where to get vaccinated are available at www.hpsj.com/flu

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Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan serves over 390,000 members in Alpine, El Dorado, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus counties. Visit the website at www.HPSJ-MVHP.org

Media Contact:
Vena Ford, Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan, vford@hpsj.com