Walgreens boosts pertussis vaccine supply amid Kan. outbreak

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is offering immunizations against whooping cough in Kansas as an epidemic of the disease spreads around the state, the retail pharmacy chain said.



Walgreens said it would offer the Tdap vaccine at all of its 67 stores in Kansas and its 195 stores in Missouri in pharmacies and Take Care Clinics.



The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has reported 56 cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, as of June 11, compared with the 52 cases reported for the entire year of 2011.



"We share in the recommendations of health officials that one of the best things people can do to help keep themselves and their community healthy is to get vaccinated," Walgreens market pharmacy director Frank Koen said. "As some of the most trusted healthcare professionals in communities across our state, this is an excellent opportunity for our pharmacists to help educate residents about the importance of vaccinations and how we can all work together to help slow the spread of disease to some of the most vulnerable — our children. It is extremely important for those who are for or are in contact with children also be immunized to help prevent the spread of disease."



Pharmacists in Kansas can administer the Tdap vaccine to patients ages 18 eyars and older, while those in Missouri can administer it to patients ages 7 years and older, and nurse practitioners at Take Care Health clinics can administer it to those ages 10 years and older.

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