One of the biggest festivals in the city of Los Angeles made its return, and Kaiser Permanente proudly participated as a health care sponsor for the 17th annual Taste of Soul Family Festival on legendary Crenshaw Boulevard.

Kaiser Permanente volunteers offered attendees first aid, cooling stations, giveaways, and complimentary health literature. The flu team provided free flu shots, resulting in more than 90 administered vaccinations, to Kaiser Permanente members and nonmembers.

“We were honored to be part of the Taste of Soul festival. By attending this event, we partnered with several organizations and medical providers to help build stronger, healthier communities,” said Celia Brugman, Community Health manager, Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center. “We were happy to have the opportunity to serve and to celebrate the rich culture and traditions of our members and the communities across Crenshaw and surrounding neighborhoods.”

The Taste of Soul event features more than 300 local vendors and performances by local musical artists, plus games and activities for young people.

Protecting our most vulnerable populations

Black, Hispanic, and Latino people age 5 and older are more likely to be hospitalized with flu than non-Hispanic white people. This was the conclusion of an August 2021 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on racial and ethnic disparities in severe flu-related outcomes across 10 flu seasons.

This study also showed that people living in high-poverty areas were at higher risk for severe outcomes from flu and may have higher flu-related hospitalization rates. Kaiser Permanente’s proactive vaccination programs aim to reduce health inequities among these communities of people.

The most effective way to prevent getting the seasonal flu is to get vaccinated every year. Kaiser Permanente urges all members, staff, and physicians to get no-cost vaccinations at our seasonal flu clinics.

During the 2021-22 flu season, the Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center staff administered more than 85,000 flu vaccinations and hopes to surpass that figure this flu season.

Be proactive in getting protection

Don’t let the flu slow you down! Get your flu shot today to protect yourself and your loved ones — and keep living life to the fullest. Find a flu shot near you.