Kroger partners with NFL’s Derrick Henry to highlight COVID-19 testing options

Kroger Health is partnering with Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry to help drive awareness of the company’s COVID-19 testing capabilities and flu shot availability. The division of Kroger has been building out its healthcare offerings throughout the pandemic and continues to do so during flu season, and the partnership will combine education and advocacy to encourage COVID-19 testing and flu shots. 

Kroger Health said the partnership is particularly timely as the country reported 11,465 new cases on Thursday and the death toll nears 250,000 in the United States, with nearly 2,000 new deaths daily, according to the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Henry will be sharing his experience of getting a flu shot and will explain how customers can access Kroger Health’s COVID-19 testing services, which include home collection kits, rapid antigen testing and recently introduced antibody testing. 

“Staying healthy has always been an important part of my life as a professional athlete – but now, it’s taken on a whole new meaning,” Henry said. “Kroger Health has a genuine commitment to building healthy communities, and I am honored to use my voice to spread the word about how we can help protect people from all walks of life from COVID-19 and the flu.”

The company noted that since the flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms, the CDC recommends testing to help confirm a diagnosis, Kroger Health said. COVID-19 testing also is recommended for anyone who has had close contact with someone confirmed to have the novel coronavirus. 

“We are excited for this partnership and honored to welcome Derrick Henry to the Kroger Health family,” said Colleen Lindholz, president of Kroger Health. “We want every American to be armed with the knowledge and tools necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the flu. We are grateful that Derrick Henry shares our mission, and we look forward to working with him to promote flu shots and COVID-19 testing to all who are in need.”