The Cigna Health Improvement Tour is traveling to Houston to offer free flu shots and personal protective equipment (PPE) to help protect the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tour, which will visit 7 locations around the city from Dec. 2-19 will also provide resources on how to stay safe during the pandemic.

Flu shots are free and available to the public ages 18 and over. No health insurance is necessary, and the PPE (face mask, hand sanitizer, thermometer) are provided free to attendees. Masks, social distancing and other safety protocols are required for attendees. Tour information and COVID-19 resources can be found at www.cigna.com/coronavirus/houston and in Spanish at www.cigna.com/es-us/coronavirus/houston

“Cigna is proud to bring much needed health care resources to Houston as part of our commitment to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve. That mission is even more pressing during the pandemic that has affected too many of our friends and families,” said Jim Hickey, Cigna Market President for South Texas. “We are grateful for the partnership of local faith leaders, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Kids Meals Inc. as we work together to help protect the people of Houston – especially the communities of color that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and other health disparities.”

To encourage the heavily affected members of the Black and Hispanic communities to get their flu shots and protect themselves from COVID-19, Cigna is teaming up with Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson, Magic Johnson Enterprises Chairman and CEO Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Judge Lina Hidalgo and singer/songwriter Prince Royce, who recorded video messages to help raise health awareness.

“We are losing too many loved ones to COVID-19, and that is why I am partnering with Cigna to help people protect themselves, their families and the Houston community,” said Magic Johnson Enterprises Chairman and CEO Earvin “Magic” Johnson. “I know how important it is to be proactive about your health, so I’m asking people to join us at the Health Improvement Tour to get their flu shots and learn more about how to stay safe during this pandemic.”

“Me personally and the Deshaun Watson Foundation are partnering with Cigna to motivate people of the black and brown community to get their flu shot to help keep themselves, their families and friends safe from COVID-19,” said Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson. “People of color are at greater risk, so it meant something to me to get the word out about how to stay safe and slow the spread of the virus.”

Cigna launched this Health Improvement Tour as part of the company’s Equity and Equality Program, which seeks to address health disparities in Black and Hispanic communities. People of color have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, which has further contributed to the historic health inequalities. According to the Houston Health Department, Hispanics account for 54% of coronavirus deaths and Black residents for 23%- well above rates for Whites (17%) and Asians (6%). Cigna repurposed its mobile Health Improvement clinics, which have provided free health screenings and coaching around the country since 2016, and will also travel to Memphis and South Florida to provide free flu shots and PPE in a COVID-safe environment.

“I’m really happy to be working with Cigna for this initiative - we share the common goal of ensuring that Latinos are getting the latest information about COVID-19, taking extra precautions this season and keeping themselves and their communities safe,” said Prince Royce. “I had COVID-19 this summer and it took me six weeks to fully recover. I’m sharing my story to encourage everyone to protect themselves and their families.”

Dates/Locations for the Health Improvement Tour

Appointments are not required but recommended and may be made at 877-469-5411.

· Dec. 2- Community of Faith

1024 Pinemont Dr, 8am-3pm

· Dec. 8- Boys & Girls Clubs- Mission Bend

8709 Addicks Clodine Rd, noon-6pm

· Dec. 9- Boys & Girls Clubs-Spring Branch

8575 Pitner Rd, noon-6pm

· Dec. 10- WHAM Ministries

10501 Meadowglen Ln, 8am-1pm

· Dec. 16- Kids Meals Inc.

330 Garden Oaks Blvd, 9am-1pm

· Dec. 18- Church Without Walls

5725 Queenston Blvd, 9am-2pm

· Dec. 19- Church Without Walls

5725 Queenston Blvd, 9am-2pm

The Health Improvement Tour is part of Cigna's S.A.F.E. campaign created to keep people and their loved ones safe from COVID-19.

· See yourself as your family’s COVID-19 protector

· Access Cigna.com to know what to do at the first sign of symptoms

· Find out how to help minimize your COVID-19 risk

· Ease concerns about the cost of COVID-19 testing. No out of pocket costs for Cigna customers.