DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Walgreens is now offering flu shots for everyone ages 3 and up by walk-in or appointment at more than 9,000 store locations nationwide to help protect communities from vaccine-preventable illnesses such as influenza. This year’s flu season coincides with the return to many in-person school, work, travel and social activities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this increased face-to-face interaction may result in an active flu season1.
“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 Kevin Ban, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Walgreens. “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.”
The U.S. is once again seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Walgreens is preparing for the co-circulation of both flu and COVID-19 and eligible patients will be able to receive a flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine in a single visit. Pfizer BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine was approved yesterday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals ages 16 and older. Under emergency use authorization (EUA), the vaccine continues to be available for patients ages 12 through 15 and for the administration of a third dose for certain immunocompromised individuals. A statement released last week from public health and medical experts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced plans for COVID-19 booster shots to rollout in September as the Delta variant continues to circulate and early evidence shows reduced protection against mild and moderate disease. 2
What to expect when you get your flu shot at Walgreens
With convenient locations and trusted local pharmacists, Walgreens will continue to play a critical role in reducing the spread of flu and other vaccine preventable illnesses.
New this flu season:
- Co-administering with COVID-19 vaccines: Per CDC guidelines, Walgreens pharmacy team members may co-administer COVID-19 and other routine vaccinations. Patients who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine may get both their flu shot and COVID-19 vaccination during the same visit. Patients may also choose to get their flu shot while getting up to date on other routine immunizations like shingles, pneumonia, whooping cough, meningitis, measles, tetanus, typhoid, polio and others.
- Enhanced vaccine scheduler: Walgreens has enhanced its vaccine scheduler to allow customers to schedule guest appointments as well as other routine immunizations, with additional enhancements expected in the coming months. When patients schedule a flu or COVID-19 vaccine appointment, they will be asked if they would like to save a trip and get additional vaccines, making it easy and convenient to stay up to date on all routine immunizations.
- Expanded age eligibility: Walgreens pharmacy team members may administer flu vaccines to children ages 3 and up nationwide to help protect the entire family against flu. The CDC recommends everyone over the age of six months receive a flu shot and kids under the age of 5 are most vulnerable to serious flu-related complications.
How to prepare for a visit:
- Visit Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine to schedule your flu shot or COVID-19 vaccination for your entire family or walk-in during pharmacy hours.
- Complete paperwork online and bring it with you or complete paperwork digitally to automatically send to the pharmacy and reduce time during your appointment.
- Find the nearest Walgreens via the store locator or Walgreens Find Care.
- Bring a facemask or face covering to wear during your appointment.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing and bring insurance information.
Lifesaving vaccines for children around the world
For the ninth consecutive year, Walgreens is teaming up with the United Nations Foundation for the Get a Shot. Give a Shot. program to help provide lifesaving vaccines to children around the world. Beginning September 1 until December 31, for every flu shot or other routine immunization administered, Walgreens will make a donation to the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign, up to $2.6 million. To date, the Get a Shot. Give a Shot. program has helped provide more than 70 million lifesaving vaccines to children around the world and has committed to reaching 100 million immunizations by 2024.
For more information on getting your flu shot at Walgreens or to schedule your upcoming appointment, please visit Walgreens.com/Flu.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is included in the United States segment of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), a global leader in retail pharmacy. As America’s most loved pharmacy, health and beauty company, Walgreens purpose is to champion the health and well-being of every community in America. Operating more than 9,000 retail locations across America, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Walgreens is proud to be a neighborhood health destination serving approximately 8 million customers each day. Walgreens pharmacists play a critical role in the U.S. healthcare system by providing a wide range of pharmacy and healthcare services. To best meet the needs of customers and patients, Walgreens offers a true omnichannel experience, with platforms bringing together physical and digital, supported by the latest technology to deliver high-quality products and services in local communities nationwide.
1 DEPARTMENT of HEALTH and HUMAN SERVICES Fiscal Year 2022. “Justification of Estimates for Appropriation Committees”. Page 68. https://www.cdc.gov/budget/documents/fy2022/FY-2022-CDC-congressional-justification.pdf
2 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Joint Statement from HHS Public Health and Medical Experts on COVID-19 Booster Shots.” August 18, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0818-covid-19-booster-shots.html
