The 2012-‘13 flu season, which arrived in September and peaked in late
December just in time for the winter holidays, serves as a telling
reminder that an annual flu shot is the best defense against the
unpredictable impact of influenza. To help customers stay well this
season, annual flu shots are now available at all Walgreens (NYSE: WAG)
(Nasdaq: WAG) pharmacies, Healthcare Clinics at select Walgreens and
Duane Reade pharmacies in New York.
Flu shots are available daily during all pharmacy and clinic hours,
including nights, overnights at 24-hour pharmacy locations, weekends and
holidays1, with no appointment necessary. Age restrictions
vary by state at Walgreens pharmacies, while Healthcare Clinics at
select Walgreens can provide immunizations for patients age 2 and older.
Flu shots are covered for eligible patients under Medicare Part B as
well as most insurance plans.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a flu
shot for everyone over the age of 6 months as soon as the vaccine
becomes available.
“Last season demonstrated why it’s important to protect yourself early,
as the influenza virus is always unpredictable in when, where and how
widely it may spread,” said Kermit Crawford, Walgreens president of
pharmacy, health and wellness. “During a very active flu season, our
pharmacists and Healthcare Clinic nurse practitioners, who are trained
to provide immunizations, delivered more than 7 million flu shots to our
customers. This season, by offering flu shots when it’s most convenient
for our customers, we’ll again play an integral role in helping more
people get, stay and live well.”
Flu shots are offered on a walk-in basis, and those interested in
appointments can schedule one online for any Walgreens or Healthcare
Clinic by visiting www.walgreens.com
or www.walgreens.com/clinic.
All Walgreens points of care this season offer a standard seasonal flu
vaccine, as well as FluMist, a needle-free nasal alternative; Fluzone
HD, a high-dose influenza vaccine for those over age 65; Fluarix, a
quadrivalent (protects against four strains of influenza) vaccine; and
Flucelvax, a cell-based vaccine which is expected to be available in
late September.
According to the CDC, the 2012-‘13 flu season resulted in more adult
hospitalizations than most flu seasons. Older adults were among those
more significantly impacted, as those aged 65 and older accounted for
more than half of all reported flu-related hospitalizations last season
- the highest percentage reported since the CDC began collecting data on
hospitalizations from flu in 2005-’06.
About Walgreens
As the nation's largest drugstore chain with Fiscal 2012 sales of $72
billion, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com)
vision is to become America’s first choice for health and daily living.
Each day, Walgreens provides more than 6 million customers the most
convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and
trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and
advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy
services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail
service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health
outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care
organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public
sector. The company operates 8,105 drugstores in all 50 states, the
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Take Care Health Systems is a
Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager
of worksite health and wellness centers, provider practices, and
in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations
throughout the country.
1 While immunizing health professional is on duty. Subject to
availability. State, age and health-related restrictions apply. See
pharmacy for details.
Copyright Business Wire 2013