WOONSOCKET, R.I., Dec. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of this year's National Influenza Vaccination Week, December 8th – 14th, CVS/pharmacy® and MinuteClinic® want to remind families that it is not too late to get a flu shot. More than 7,600 CVS/pharmacy stores and more than 750 MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics inside select CVS locations provide flu shots every day, including evenings and weekends, no appointment necessary.
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"As people plan their family gatherings during this busy holiday season, we want them to remember that a flu shot will provide them and their loved ones the best protection available from getting sick with the flu," said Papatya Tankut, RPh, Vice President of Pharmacy Affairs, CVS/pharmacy. "While flu season is unpredictable, it typically peaks in January or later. In fact, last season's national flu outbreak occurred right after the holidays so this an ideal time to get vaccinated if you haven't received your flu shot yet."
National Influenza Vaccination Week was established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to annually highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination through the holiday season and beyond. The CDC recommends an annual flu shot for everyone ages 6 months and older as the first and most important step in protecting against influenza. A yearly flu shot is recommended because a new formulation of the vaccine is produced every year to protect against the currently circulating influenza viruses. Also, immunity provided by the vaccine declines over time.
Customers will receive a 20% Off CVS/pharmacy Shopping Pass this holiday season when they get a flu shot at CVS or MinuteClinic. The Shopping Pass can be used with CVS/pharmacy's ExtraCare® card to save 20% off non-pharmacy purchases up to $100.*
Members of CVS/pharmacy's ExtraCare Pharmacy & Health Rewards® program will receive $5 in ExtraBucks Rewards® when they get a flu shot at a CVS/pharmacy by December 31, 2013.**
Health insurance plans, including Medicare Part B, typically cover the full cost of a flu shot. CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic can directly bill many national and regional health plans that cover all or part of the cost of a flu shot.
In addition to flu shots, CVS pharmacists and MinuteClinic nurse practitioners and physician assistants are available to provide a number of other vaccinations, including pneumonia and whooping cough, among others. Visit www.cvs.com/flu for more information on the vaccines offered. Certain immunizations have age and location restrictions.
About CVS/pharmacy
CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), is America's leading retail pharmacy with more than 7,600 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drug stores. CVS/pharmacy is reinventing pharmacy to help people on their path to better health by providing the most accessible and personalized expertise, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at http://info.cvscaremark.com.
About MinuteClinic
MinuteClinic is a division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States. MinuteClinic launched the first retail medical clinics in the United States in 2000 and is the largest provider of retail clinics with more than 750 locations in 28 states and the District of Columbia. By creating a health care delivery model that responds to patient demand, MinuteClinic makes access to high-quality medical treatment easier for more Americans. Nationally, the company has provided care through more than 18 million patient visits, with a 95% customer satisfaction rating. MinuteClinic is the only retail health care provider to receive three consecutive accreditations from The Joint Commission, the national evaluation and certifying agency for nearly 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. For more information, visit www.MinuteClinic.com.
*Normal ExtraCare purchase restrictions apply for 20% Off Shopping Pass. See CVS.com or Shopping Pass for details. ExtraCare card is not required in the state of HI. Shopping Pass is not available in the states of AR, NJ and NY and at MinuteClinic locations in MA.
** Pharmacy & Health ExtraBucks Rewards® cannot be earned on flu shots given at MinuteClinic or in AR, NJ, & NY. ExtraBucks Rewards available 1 week after flu shot. Rewards earned under the ExtraCare Pharmacy & Health Rewards program are limited to $50 Pharmacy & Health ExtraBucks Rewards annually per person. For full program details, visit CVS.com/rxrewards. Void where prohibited by law.
Flu shots are available when immunizing pharmacist, MinuteClinic nurse practitioner or physician assistant is on duty, while supplies last.
SOURCE CVS/pharmacy