Walgreens makes flu shots available for 2013-2014 season
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday announced that this year's flu shots are now available at all Walgreens pharmacies, Healthcare Clinics at select Walgreens and Duane Reade pharmacies in New York.
“Last season demonstrated why it’s important to protect yourself early, as the influenza virus is always unpredictable in when, where and how widely it may spread,” stated Kermit Crawford, Walgreens president of pharmacy, health and wellness. “During a very active flu season, our pharmacists and Healthcare Clinic nurse practitioners, who are trained to provide immunizations, delivered more than 7 million flu shots to our customers. This season, by offering flu shots when it’s most convenient for our customers, we’ll again play an integral role in helping more people get, stay and live well.”
All Walgreens points of care this season offer a standard seasonal flu vaccine, as well as FluMist, a needle-free nasal alternative; Fluzone HD, a high-dose influenza vaccine for those over age 65; Fluarix, a quadrivalent (protects against four strains of influenza) vaccine; and Flucelvax, a cell-based vaccine which is expected to be available in late September.
Walgreens' flu shots are available daily during all pharmacy and clinic hours, including nights, overnights at 24-hour pharmacy locations, weekends and holidays, with no appointment necessary. Age restrictions vary by state at Walgreens pharmacies, while Healthcare Clinics at select Walgreens can provide immunizations for patients age 2 and older. Flu shots are covered for eligible patients under Medicare Part B as well as most insurance plans.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a flu shot for everyone over the age of 6 months as soon as the vaccine becomes available.
According to the CDC, the 2012-13 flu season resulted in more adult hospitalizations than most flu seasons. Older adults were among those more significantly impacted, as those aged 65 and older accounted for more than half of all reported flu-related hospitalizations last season — the highest percentage reported since the CDC began collecting data on hospitalizations from flu in 2005-06.
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