On KRDO's "The Extra" on Tuesday, Optum Medical Director Dr. Kern Low joined host Shannon Brinias to discuss the importance of flu vaccinations. Influenza is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza infection can affect people differently, but millions of people get flu every year, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes every year. An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against flu. Vaccination has been shown to have many benefits including reducing the risk of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and even the risk of flu-related death in children. Optum is offering flu vaccinations with in-person appointments at all of their sites and drive-up vaccinations by appointment at select locations, including the Briargate location off of Research Parkway and their southwest location off of Tenderfoot Hill Street. To schedule a flu vaccination with Optum, please call 719-522-1133 or visit cosprings.optum.com.