Walgreens collaborates with two groups to drive flu prevention, boost awareness

DEERFIELD, Ill. Underscoring its determination to be the nation’s premier source of flu immunization services, Walgreens on Thursday revealed it is working with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases to educate the public and health professionals about flu prevention resources. In addition, Walgreens has joined with Families Fighting Flu, a nonprofit organization of families and healthcare practitioners, to heighten flu awareness and encourage vaccinations for children and families.

In a flu season kickoff, NFID held its annual news conference in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Health experts at the event discussed immunizations as the best protection against flu viruses and offered new information from the medical community. They also highlighted the complementary role that Walgreens and other pharmacies now play for immunization services within the U.S. healthcare system.

“Working with NFID and Families Fighting Flu –– and through ongoing efforts with the medical community and government agencies –– we'll continue to arm the public with the information they need to protect themselves,” said Kermit Crawford, Walgreens president of pharmacy services. “With new [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] recommendations, an all-in-one vaccine and unprecedented access to flu shots, our goal is to achieve higher immunization rates that can lead to a lower incidence of flu in the United States this season.”

Walgreens pharmacists, along with clinicians at its in-store Take Care Clinics, provided some 7 million vaccinations during the 2009-2010 flu season. This year, the company has set a much higher goal: to immunize 15 million Americans nationwide.