Cards available nationwide as Walgreens introduces the gift of flu
prevention
Aug. 3, 2010 (Business Wire) -- Gift cards are a popular item for any occasion, but no occasion is needed for the newest, one-of-a-kind gift card now available at Walgreens – the flu shot gift card. Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG), the largest retail provider of flu prevention services with more than 24,000 certified immunizers, has introduced the card as a way to help more Americans stay well throughout the upcoming flu season by giving the gift of a flu shot.
“Whether you have college kids going back to school or have friends, co-workers or family members you want to protect this flu season, the flu shot gift card is a thoughtful way to make it even easier for them to get a flu shot at Walgreens,” said Kermit R. Crawford, Walgreens executive vice president of pharmacy. “While millions of Americans are diligent about getting a flu shot every year, gift cards may also help those who might not otherwise take the initiative to get a flu shot. With these gift cards, you can help protect those closest to you.”
Flu shot gift cards are available at all of the more than 7,500 Walgreens stores nationwide and will soon be available through Walgreens.com. The cards cost $29.99 and are good for one flu shot at any Walgreens pharmacy or Take Care Clinic nationwide, once locations receive the flu vaccine and while supplies last. Additional restrictions apply, see gift card or Walgreens.com for details. State age and health condition-related restrictions may also apply.
Customers purchasing a gift card for someone under 18 years of age should inquire with their local Walgreens about any possible age restrictions. Take Care Clinics, located at more than 350 Walgreens drugstores, can administer flu shots and other immunizations to anyone over age 2.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only one flu shot will be required this season for protection against both H1N1 and seasonal flu. Each year, flu vaccine is manufactured to protect against the three viruses or flu strains that research suggests will be most common. The 2010-2011 vaccine will protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus, an influenza A H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus.
The CDC recommends a flu shot to everyone over the age of six months.
Walgreens, which administered more than 7 million seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccinations last season, received an Immunization Excellence award from the National Influenza Vaccine Summit. The award honored Walgreens for its role in last season’s inoculation effort. The Summit is co-sponsored by the American Medical Association and the CDC.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2009 sales of $63 billion. The company operates 7,541 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility, long-term care and mail service, along with pharmacy benefit solutions and respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Walgreens Take Care Health Systems subsidiary is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.
