Walgreens partners with United Nations Foundation's Shot@Life campaign

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday partnered with the United Nations Foundation to help provide up to 3 million vaccines during this flu season to children in developing countries through a donation to the Foundation's Shot@Life campaign.

Beginning Sept. 3 through Oct. 14, for every vaccine administered at any Walgreens pharmacy, Healthcare Clinic at select Walgreens or Duane Reade pharmacy in New York, Walgreens will donate the value of a vaccine, primarily those for polio and measles, through Shot@Life for up to 3 million vaccines. 

"We've developed a number of innovative programs and public-private partnerships through which we've helped improve immunization rates in medically underserved areas, and among other targeted populations in need across the U.S.," stated Harry Leider, Walgreens chief medical officer. "With the growing need for life-saving vaccines such as polio and measles in developing countries, we're proud to work with the UN Foundation on this important cause that provides access to vaccine for children in need, creates greater awareness and furthers our mission to help people get, stay and live well."

Shot@Life is a movement to protect children worldwide by providing vaccines where they are needed most. The campaign is focused on educating and empowering Americans to support and advocate for decreasing vaccine-preventable childhood deaths while giving children around the world a shot at a healthy life.

The collaboration with Shot@Life builds upon Walgreens' national and international efforts to provide greater access to healthcare services. Over the last two years, Walgreens has worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization to donate more than 400,000 doses of flu vaccine for at-risk populations in Laos and Nicaragua. In the United States, Walgreens is in its fourth year of a flu shot voucher program developed in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Through that program, Walgreens has distributed approximately 1 million flu shot vouchers to uninsured and underinsured individuals nationwide.

Correction: An earlier version of this article stated the incorrect start date. We apologize for the error.