Walgreens rolls out 2021-2022 flu shots
Walgreens is offering flu shots to all patients 3 years old and older. The chain is offering immunizations at its more than 9,000 stores nationwide as many people return to in-person work, school, travel and social activities, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said may lead to an active flu season.
“Measures like social distancing, mask-wearing and increased flu vaccinations contributed to very few flu cases last season, however, as communities return to everyday activities amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, it is critical that people remain diligent about getting their flu vaccine,” said Dr. Kevin Ban, Walgreens chief medical officer. “Walgreens pharmacy team members have more than a decade of experience administering vaccines and make it easy to get both your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations in one convenient stop.”
[Read more: Retailers announce plans to administer COVID-19 vaccine boosters]
Walgreens said it was preparing for the co-circulation of the flu and COVID-19 as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. The retailer said it would offer flu and COVID-19 vaccines in a single visit to eligible patients. The Pfizer vaccine has received full Food and Drug Administration approval in patients 16 years old and older and an emergency use authorization still permits it to be used in patients 12 to 15 years old, as well as for a third dose for certain immunocompromised individuals.
Walgreens noted that it has enhanced its vaccine scheduling tool to allow customers to schedule guest appointments and other routine immunizations. Upon making an appointment, the patient will be asked if they would like to save a trip and receive additional vaccines to make keeping current on routine immunizations easier.
The company said for the ninth year running, it would be teaming up with the United Nations Foundation for its Get a Shot. Give a Shot. program, which provides vaccines to children around the world. From Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, Walgreens will make a donation to the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign for every flu shot or routine immunization administered, up to $2.6 mil-lion. Over the course of Walgreens’ support of the program, it has helped provide more than 70 million vaccines to children and is committed to reaching 100 million by 2024.