Costumes, Candy, and Vaccinations – Rite Aid Shares Reasons to Add Flu and COVID-19 Vaccinations to Your Halloween Check List
October 26 2022 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
The neighborhood pharmacy encourages flu and
COVID-19 vaccination before Halloween to get protected ahead of
winter and the holiday season
As the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
warns of early increases in seasonal influenza cases, Rite Aid
(NYSE: RAD) addresses common misperceptions about vaccination and
stresses the importance of staying up to date on flu and COVID-19
vaccinations before Halloween.
“People are looking forward to celebrating Halloween and the
upcoming holiday season,” says Karen Staniforth, Chief Pharmacy
Officer at Rite Aid. “But, with flu season looming and new COVID-19
variants lurking, the thought of getting sick has communities
spooked. To ease fears, our pharmacy team at Rite Aid is here to
share best practices to fight the flu and COVID – before they creep
up on you.”
Rite Aid’s pharmacists offer the following seasonal tips:
- No One Is Invincible: Staying Up to Date on Vaccinations
Helps Prevent Serious Illness Your Halloween costume may
include a cape, but that does not make you invincible to the flu or
COVID-19. The CDC recommends that everyone six months or older get
a flu vaccine every year. The CDC also recommends everyone stay up
to date with COVID-19 vaccines recommended for their age group. The
new updated booster offers protection against both the original
virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5.
Even if you are young and healthy, the flu and COVID-19 can disrupt
your life with unpleasant symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat,
body aches and fatigue. Older people and those who are
immunocompromised are at risk for more serious outcomes. By staying
up to date on these vaccines, you’re protecting yourself, and those
around you – which is superhero material.
- New Pumpkin, New Shot: Get A Flu Vaccine Every Year We
all know carved Jack-o-Lanterns don’t last forever. Unfortunately,
neither does protection from your flu vaccine. Even if you received
a flu vaccine last year, you should get one every year in order to
be protected. Just like the seasons change, so does the annual flu
shot. Flu viruses evolve very quickly, so last year’s vaccine may
not protect against this year’s viruses. Each year’s vaccine is
custom-crafted (just like your pumpkin art) and will offer the best
protection for the upcoming season.
- Double Is NOT Trouble: Get Protected Against COVID
and Flu Yes, you can get a
COVID-19 vaccination or “boo”ster shot and your annual flu shot at
the same time. The COVID-19 vaccines protect against strains of the
coronavirus that cause COVID-19, while the flu vaccine protects
against strains of influenza. While the symptoms of flu and
COVID-19 may be similar, the viruses and vaccines are not the same.
So, think of COVID-19 and flu as separate threats – kind of like
vampires and zombies – and protect yourself from both with one
convenient appointment at your local pharmacy.
- Beat the Witching Hour: Get Up to Date on Vaccinations
Before Halloween The flu is already here, with case numbers
increasing around the country, and health officials predict
COVID-19 cases will increase this winter. It can take a couple of
weeks for antibodies to develop after receiving the vaccines, so
the CDC recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October
for optimal protection in the height of the flu season. And, after
two years of unusually low flu activity due to COVID-19 mitigation
efforts, experts predict this year could mark the return of a more
active flu season. At Rite Aid, we are sending Flu Alert emails to
customers in locations with high flu prevalence according to CDC
data to prompt them to come in for their vaccination. If you
recently had COVID-19, you may consider delaying your next vaccine
dose by three months from when your symptoms started, or from when
you received a positive test. Of course, if you don’t get a shot
before the “witching hour,” getting vaccinated after Halloween
still provides protection and is better than going
unvaccinated.
- Spooked by the Process? Rite Aid Makes It Easy Whether
you’re terrified of needles or stressed about finding time to get
vaccinated, Rite Aid makes it easy and convenient. RiteAid.com
features an Immunization Evaluation Questionnaire to assess what
vaccines are right for you and your family, as well as an online
scheduling tool to book your appointment at a convenient time and
location. If you’re feeling spontaneous, Rite Aid also has you
covered and accepts walk-ins at all locations. Rite Aid offers flu
vaccines to meet the needs of all customers, including a vaccine
designed specifically for those 65 or older and a nasal spray flu
vaccine for children. Rite Aid is providing customers who get their
flu shot with a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase, and beginning
Thursday, is offering an additional $5 off $25 coupon to those who
get the COVID booster (not valid in NY or NJ). You can use the
coupons to stock up on your favorite Halloween treats – there’s
nothing spooky about candy!
For more information on flu vaccination, COVID-19 vaccines, and
more seasonal health tips – including how to schedule your
immunizations – visit Riteaid.com.
About Rite Aid Corporation
Rite Aid is a full-service pharmacy that improves health
outcomes. Rite Aid is defining the modern pharmacy by meeting
customer needs with a wide range of vehicles that offer
convenience, including retail and delivery pharmacy, as well as
services offered through our wholly owned subsidiaries, Elixir,
Bartell Drugs and Health Dialog. Elixir, Rite Aid’s pharmacy
benefits and services company, consists of accredited mail and
specialty pharmacies, prescription discount programs and an
industry leading adjudication platform to offer superior member
experience and cost savings. Health Dialog provides healthcare
coaching and disease management services via live online and phone
health services. Regional chain Bartell Drugs has supported the
health and wellness needs in the Seattle area for more than 130
years. Rite Aid employs more than 6,300 pharmacists and operates
more than 2,300 retail pharmacy locations across 17 states. For
more information, visit www.riteaid.com.
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MEDIA: Catherine Carter 717-975-5718 press@riteaid.com
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