Meijer stresses now is the best time to get flu shot
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer Drug Store on Tuesday announced the availability of this season's annual flu shot, noting that the back-to-school season is an ideal time to get vaccinated against influenza.
"The best time to get a flu shot is not October, but actually before or soon after school starts," stated Nat Love, Meijer Drug Store VP. "Once classes begin, kids can literally bring viruses into your home every day, and it becomes difficult to keep influenza from spreading throughout the whole family. There is no expiration date to receiving a flu shot, so the sooner you get your flu shot, the better chance you have of staying healthy."
Meijer anticipates administering 30% more flu shots this season than last, Love reported.
While H1N1 is still the most dominant strain this coming season, Love said walk-in services and new options for flu shots at retailers like Meijer are making it easier — and more appealing — for families to get vaccinated. Meijer operates 213 pharmacies in its supercenters throughout the Midwest, all of which administer the vaccine without an appointment during pharmacy hours and accept most major insurance plans.
Depending on age, health status and state regulations, Meijer pharmacies offer a variety of vaccine options that include:
Fluvirin/Fluzone: Vaccines injected in the arm for $27.99;
FluMist: Nasal spray by request for $32.99;
Fluzone HD: For patients 65 years and older that are typically covered by Medicare Part B for $56; and
Fluzone Quadrivalent — the new vaccine that covers the four major strains of influenza — for patients, ages 5 years to 49 years, for $32.99.
Getting a flu shot, as well as other immunizations offered at Meijer, may count as prescription credits in its new mPerks Pharmacy Rewards Program, which allows customers to earn savings on shopping and gas purchases, the company noted.