CAI members can sponsor flu vaccination clinics that will be conducted beginning in early November. The vaccinations are $25 each, and Medicare Part B is accepted. There is no fee for associations that sponsor the clinics. This benefit is also available to CAI business partners, including management companies.

CAI is teaming with Care Dynamix LLC to provide this opportunity to CAI members.

"The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year," says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Between 5 and 20 percent of the U.S. population is infected each year with influenza. That's 15 to 60 million Americans. The result, according to the CDC, is an estimated 36,000 related deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations. Because influenza viruses are continuously changing, the strains of influenza virus included in the vaccine are re-evaluated each year.

"We are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to our members," says CAI Chief Executive Officer Tom Skiba. "This is an easy, no-cost way for community associations to provide a valuable service to their residents, and for businesses to provide a convenient and important benefit to their employees."

While there is no charge for hosting a clinic, communities and businesses doing so must appoint an individual to receive and refrigerate the shipment of vaccine 2-3 days prior to the clinic. That person also needs to be available the day of the clinic to provide administrative support to the nurses.

A clinic can be held for any organization that can be reasonably sure that at least 40 people will participate. An online scheduling mechanism is available for communities and businesses that anticipate more than 100 participants.

While the community or business will be primarily responsible for promoting the clinic, Care Dynamix will provide customized flyers and posters to promote the clinic, as well as language to use in e-mail promotions, newsletters, websites and bulletin boards.

To sign up, members need to complete and return a short, online form. It can be accessed in the members-only section of the CAI website at www.caionline.org/members and should be e-mailed to mcopps(at)caionline.org or sent via facsimile to (703) 684-1581. Allow two business days for a response.

Non-member community associations can take advantage of this offer for a $150 administrative fee, or join CAI and get this service as a free member benefit. Annual memberships for individual community association managers and homeowner volunteer leaders (board members) are $95. Membership information can be accessed at www.caionline.org/join/. Non-members interested in the flu clinic should call CAI toll-free at (888) 224-4321.

CAI is a national membership organization dedicated to helping homeowner and condominium associations meet the expectations of their residents. CAI's 28,000-plus members include community managers, volunteer homeowner leaders and businesses and professionals who support associations.