Doubling last season’s flu shots

“You vs. Flu … you win with a flu shot!” Of course, patients aren’t the only winners now that pharmacies are actively touting their flu shot and other vaccination services. It’s quick. It’s easy. And it’s driving the number of flu shots delivered each season. 


As many as 111 million Americans had gotten a flu shot by mid-November, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, representing 36% of the American population over the age of 6 months, which is slightly up from the same year-ago period. And more influenza vaccines are being administered in a retail setting. While 55% of people still got their vaccinations from their doctor’s office, a little more than 1-in-5 adults have been vaccinated in a retail setting.


“Despite a very weak flu season, flu shots administered by CVS pharmacists nearly doubled versus the prior year, which also helped to drive our pharmacy comps,” said Larry Merlo, CVS Caremark president and CEO.