Flu Vaccinations Available At Walgreens Pharmacies Nationwide Beginning October 1, USA

Main Category: Flu / Cold / SARS
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma;  Immune System / Vaccines
Article Date: 25 Sep 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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Walgreens (NYSE: WAG)(NASDAQ: WAG) pharmacies nationwide will begin offering convenient, affordable access to flu vaccinations. The cost for a flu shot is $24.99 at most Walgreens locations ($30 in select states1). For the first time, most Walgreens locations will also offer FluMist nasal spray as an alternative to the shot for $29.99. Visit walgreens.com/flu or call 1-800-FLU-9950 for Walgreens locations and available times. Appointments are recommended.

The vaccinations may be covered by insurance plans or Medicare Part B. Patients are encouraged to check with their insurance provider.

Take Care Clinics in select Walgreens stores across the country will also offer flu vaccinations starting Oct. 1. Board certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants will administer the flu shots as well as the FluMist nasal spray seven days a week, with no appointment necessary. For more information and to find the nearest Take Care Clinic, visit TakeCareHealth.com.

"The number one way to avoid the flu this season is getting the vaccination," said Walgreens senior vice president of pharmacy Kermit Crawford. "With more than 6,300 neighborhood Walgreens pharmacies from coast to coast offering the vaccine, prevention has never been more accessible. This year, we will administer more than one million flu vaccinations."

The CDC recommends getting a flu vaccination starting in October. Flu activity generally peaks between December and March, and two weeks are required after vaccination for the body to be fully prepared to protect against influenza. Experts strongly recommend patients 50 and older, as well as children and adults with chronic heart and lung conditions get vaccinated every year.

(1) Residents in the following states will receive vaccinations administered by nurses during scheduled flu shot clinics: Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia,. FluMist nasal spray is not available in these states. Visit http://www.walgreens.com/flu for scheduled times and dates.

Walgreens is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2008 sales of $59 billion. The company operates 6,443 drugstores in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Walgreens provides the most convenient access to consumer goods and cost-effective health care services in America through its retail drugstores, Walgreens Health Services division and Walgreens Health and Wellness division. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc., Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC and SeniorMed LLC (a pharmacy provider to long-term care facilities). Walgreens Health and Wellness division includes Take Care Health Systems, which is comprised of: Take Care Consumer Solutions, managers of 220 convenient care clinics at Walgreens drugstores, and Take Care Employer Solutions, managers of worksite-based health and wellness services at 355 employer campuses.

Walgreens