Flu Shots Now Available at All Walgreens Pharmacies
August 17 2020 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
Walgreens taking proactive measures in
preparation for flu season to meet customer demand and ensure the
health and safety of communities during COVID-19 pandemic
With the upcoming flu season expected to coincide with the
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Walgreens is now offering flu shots
daily at all of its nearly 9,1001 pharmacies with additional safety
measures in place. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) is urging everyone over 6 months of age to get a flu shot2 to
help protect themselves and their communities from
vaccine-preventable illnesses.
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With flu shots now available daily at all
Walgreens pharmacies, patients can safely and conveniently get
their flu shots from specially trained Walgreens pharmacy teams.
(Photo: Business Wire)
“The convergence of COVID-19 and flu season means that flu
vaccinations are critical to reduce the overall burden of
respiratory illnesses on the healthcare system and help protect
communities,” said Kevin Ban, M.D., Chief Medical Officer,
Walgreens. “Getting your flu shot at Walgreens is one more thing we
know everyone can do to help keep themselves and their loved ones
healthy, in addition to social distancing, thorough hand washing
and wearing face coverings.”
Manufacturers are making millions of extra flu vaccine doses to
meet the highly anticipated demand for flu shots this season.3
Walgreens has a long history of providing immunizations to the more
than one third of patients who receive their flu shots at a
pharmacy, and has worked closely with manufacturers to increase
supply and administer flu vaccinations as soon as possible this
season. With 78 percent of the population within five miles of a
Walgreens store, consumers can safely and conveniently get their
flu shots from specially trained Walgreens pharmacy teams who know
which flu shot is right for patients based on their age and health
history.
The Flu Shot Experience at Walgreens
As announced in June, Walgreens has implemented additional
safety measures meeting or exceeding CDC guidelines for pharmacy
team members and patients to best meet anticipated demand for flu
shots this season—60 percent of U.S. adults plan to get a flu shot
in the fall4, while just 45 percent of U.S. adults got vaccinated
during the 2018-19 influenza season5. Patients can get their flu
shots by walk-in or schedule an appointment via Walgreens Find Care
through the Walgreens app or online during pharmacy hours,
including evenings, overnights at 24-hour pharmacy locations,
weekends and holidaysi. Flu vaccine is subject to availability, and
age, state and health related restrictions may apply.
“Throughout the pandemic, Walgreens continues to make the health
and safety of its team members and customers a top priority,” added
Dr. Ban. “We want our patients to know that we are there to help
them and are taking precautions necessary to keep our communities
safe.”
Who can get a flu shot:
- The CDC recommends everyone over the age of 6 months receives a
flu shot—Walgreens pharmacies can provide flu immunizations for
anyone over the age of 4 and age restrictions vary based on state
regulations.
- The flu shot is free, no cost to the patient, with most
insurance6.
- Flu shots are also free to the patient with Medicare Part B and
Medicaidii in certain states.
How to prepare for a visit:
- Complete paperwork online and bring it with you to reduce time
in the pharmacy.
- Walk-in to Walgreens for a flu shot at any time or schedule an
appointment online at a time convenient for you.
- Find the nearest Walgreens via the store locator or Walgreens
Find Care.
- Bring a face covering and remember to put it on before entering
the store.
- Those who do not have a facemask will be provided one prior to
receiving the flu shot.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing and bring insurance information and
photo ID.
What to expect in the pharmacy:
- Enhanced cleaning regimens, social distancing protocols and
plexiglass shields at registers are maintained at all Walgreens
locations.
- Pharmacy team members wear disposable facemasks at all times,
including while administering the flu shot. They also follow proper
hand hygiene and glove use procedures that are typical for
immunizations.
- As an additional safety measure, all pharmacy team members
administering flu shots wear plastic face shields for additional
protection.
- Prior to administration of an immunization, pharmacy team
members will take patients’ temperature and screen for the presence
of symptoms or illness. Immunizations will be deferred if a patient
has a fever or other symptoms associated with illness until after
symptoms are resolved.
Lifesaving Vaccines for Children Around the World
For the eighth consecutive year, Walgreens is teaming up with
the United Nations Foundation for the Get a Shot. Give a Shot.®
program to provide lifesaving vaccines to children around the
world. For every flu shot or other vaccination administered,
Walgreens will make a donation to the UN Foundation, up to $2.6
million. To date, the Walgreens Get a Shot. Give a Shot. program
has helped provide 50 million lifesaving vaccines to children
around the world.
For more information on getting your flu shot at Walgreens,
please visit https://www.walgreens.com/flu.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (walgreens.com), one of the nation's largest drugstore
chains, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), a global leader in
retail and wholesale pharmacy. Walgreens is proud to be a
neighborhood health, beauty and retail destination supporting
communities across the country, and was named to FORTUNE*
magazine’s 2019 Companies that Change the World list. Approximately
8 million customers interact with Walgreens in stores and online
each day. As of August 31, 2019, Walgreens operates 9,277
drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with its
omnichannel business, Walgreens.com. Walgreens also provides
specialty pharmacy and mail services and offers in-store clinics
and other health care services throughout the United States, most
of which are operated by our health care strategic partners.
1 As of May 31, 2020.
https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0001618921/eef0a06d-7a5f-4612-91c3-4c5369ddea73.pdf
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevent. “Frequently Asked
Influenza (Flu) Questions: 2020-2021 Season.” July 2, 2020.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2020-2021.htm 3 The
Washington Post. “CDC and drugmakers boost flu vaccine doses amid
fears of unprecedented respiratory illness season.” June 24, 2020.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/06/24/cdc-drugmakers-boost-flu-vaccine-doses-amid-fears-an-unprecedented-respiratory-illness-season/
4 Reuters. “Fears of coronavirus second wave prompt flu push at
U.S. pharmacies, drugmakers.” May 26, 2020.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-flu-focus/fears-of-coronavirus-second-wave-prompt-flu-push-at-u-s-pharmacies-drugmakers-idUSKBN2321F0
5 CDC. “Flu Vaccination Coverage, United States, 2018-19 Influenza
Season.” September 26, 2019.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/coverage-1819estimates.htm 6 By
getting a flu shot, you help defend yourself from the flu and are
less likely to spread the virus to those around you. Vaccines
subject to availability. State-, age- and health- related
restrictions may apply.
i Subject to availability. State age and health-related
restrictions apply. See pharmacy for details. ii Varies by state.
See pharmacy for details.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200817005115/en/
Alexandra Brown Walgreens Media Relations
alexandra.brown@walgreens.com
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