Albertsons donates 5K flu vaccines to vets, homeless

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons Co. recently announced its donation of 5,000 flu vaccines to 21 non-profits that serve veterans, low-income communities and people and families that are homeless. The donation saw Albertsons providing staff pharmacists to administer on-site vaccines through mobile vaccine clinics. 

 

“It’s important for health care providers to keep our communities healthy, especially the people who are most vulnerable or underserved. It was an easy decision to donate the vaccine, with no limit on how much each organization needed,” Albertsons SVP pharmacy health and wellness Mark Panzer said. “This outreach is part of our overall mission to help people live healthier lives, empower them with medically sound information and reduce the barriers to health care.” 

 

Albertsons, which operates 19 banners, has seen its pharmacists and store associates establish partnerships with several recipient organizations. In the Dallas, Texas area, Albertsons has held four free flu clinics since the start of flu season with the Dallas Independent School District and Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support. 

 

“The women who turn to Genesis to escape domestic violence are no different from any of us who are concerned about protecting ourselves and our families from illness,” Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support CEO Jan Langbein said. “We are grateful to Albertsons and Tom Thumb for providing flu shots this season, giving our clients one less thing to be concerned about on their journey to the abuse-free lives they deserve.” 

 

Through February, Albertsons will be offering the QIV four-strain flu vaccine on a walk-in basis at all of its banners’ stores with pharmacies. The company also provides off-site flu clinic services for businesses, senior centers and nursing homes that opt to provide employees or residents with a flu vaccine.