Walgreens rolls out flu shots chain-wide with safety measures

Walgreens is getting a head start on flu season. The retailer has rolled out flu shot availability to all of its almost 9,100 pharmacies, adding safety measures to ensure patient safety. The company noted that the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention recommend patients older than 6 months old get a flu shot, and that this year flu season would be coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The convergence of COVID-19 and flu season means that flu vaccinations are critical to reduce the overall burden of respiratory illnesses on the healthcare system and help protect communities,” said Dr. Kevin Ban, Walgreens chief medical officer. “Getting your flu shot at Walgreens is one more thing we know everyone can do to help keep themselves and their loved ones healthy, in addition to social distancing, thorough hand washing and wearing face coverings.”

Manufacturers have been making millions of extra flu vaccine doses in order to meet expected high demand this season. Walgreens said it has been working with manufacturers to increase supply and be able to administer vaccinations as early as possible this season. 

Walgreens also is bringing new safety protocols into play this year, as it announced in June. Among the efforts are enhanced cleaning regimens, social distancing protocols and plexiglass shields at registers. Additionally, all pharmacy team members administering flu shots will be wearing plastic face shields for additional protection, and patients will have their temperature taken alongside a symptom screening before receiving an immunization. The flu shot will be deferred if a patient has fever or other symptoms associated with COVID-19.

“Throughout the pandemic, Walgreens continues to make the health and safety of its team members and customers a top priority,” Ban said. “We want our patients to know that we are there to help them and are taking precautions necessary to keep our communities safe.”

Walgreens is once again teaming up with the United Nations Foundation for the Get a Shot. Give a Shot. program, with each flu shot or other vaccination administered at Walgreens leading to a donation from Walgreens to the U.N. Foundation up to $2.6 million.