H1N1 vaccine available at Walgreens pharmacies and Take Care Clinics

Jan 5 2010

Every Walgreens pharmacy, every day. The once-scarce H1N1 vaccine is now available daily at all of the more than 7,100 Walgreens pharmacies and 350 Take Care Clinics throughout the country. With nearly all states lifting priority group vaccination restrictions, Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG) is able to offer H1N1 vaccine to anyone in those states who wants a vaccination and who meets state age requirements. Priority group vaccination restrictions are still in effect in Hawaii only.

“Soon, anyone in the country who wants an H1N1 vaccination will be able to get one. And by offering convenient, affordable access to the vaccine, as well as other health and wellness resources, Walgreens continues to play an integral role in helping people stay well throughout the flu season.”

H1N1 vaccinations are available at Walgreens pharmacies on a walk-in basis when an immunizing pharmacist is on staff and also may be available by appointment. In addition, Take Care Clinics at select Walgreens stores in 19 states have board-certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants who will provide vaccinations on a walk-in basis daily, pending vaccine availability. Age restrictions for pharmacist-administered vaccinations vary by state, while Take Care Clinics can immunize children age 2 and above.

“We share with government and health officials nationwide the goal of protecting as many people as possible from the H1N1 virus, while also helping to lessen the impact or prevent a third wave of H1N1 activity,” said Walgreens President and CEO Greg Wasson. “Soon, anyone in the country who wants an H1N1 vaccination will be able to get one. And by offering convenient, affordable access to the vaccine, as well as other health and wellness resources, Walgreens continues to play an integral role in helping people stay well throughout the flu season.”

The cost for the administration of H1N1 vaccine at Walgreens and Take Care Clinics is $18. Vaccinations are covered by Medicare and may be covered by Medicaid and other insurance plans. Consumers are encouraged to check with their insurance provider for coverage details.

For the nearest Walgreens pharmacy, consumers can call 1-800-Walgreens or visit www.walgreens.com/flu. For Take Care Clinic locations, consumers should visit www.takecarehealth.com or call 1-866-Take-Care.

Back to School, Back to Work and H1N1

Health officials encourage H1N1 vaccinations as one of the best ways to stay healthy this New Year, as children return to school and many head back to work following family gatherings and a travel period that was predicted to see more than 87 million Americans traveling.

“The holidays can create ideal conditions for viruses to spread, which means those who haven’t gotten a vaccination yet still have an important window of opportunity to protect themselves and their families from H1N1,” said Allan Khoury, Chief Medical Officer, Take Care Health Systems. “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 15 percent of Americans have been infected with H1N1 influenza, which means that the majority of the population is still susceptible to the virus.”

CDC data shows that in most flu seasons, influenza activity peaks after the New Year. Over the past 26 seasons, the heaviest flu activity occurred in January or later 80 percent of the time, CDC records show.

Pneumococcal Vaccinations and H1N1’s Link to Life-Threatening Pneumonia

According to the CDC, the H1N1 virus can cause life-threatening pneumonia more commonly than seasonal flu. Additionally, pneumococcal infections have been identified as the most common complication in severe and fatal cases of 2009 H1N1 virus infection.

Walgreens offers pneumococcal vaccinations in most states, and they are also available at all Take Care Clinics. Shots are $49.99 and may be covered by insurance plans. For more information on pneumococcal vaccine and infection, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines.

Pneumococcal vaccinations, which are covered by Medicare, are recommended for all adults over age 65. Pneumococcal vaccinations are also recommended for anyone with a chronic illness, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes, as well as for individuals with a weak immune system.

Seasonal flu shots are still available at most Take Care Clinics. Customers can visit www.takecarehealth.com or call 1-866-Take Care for the nearest clinic location and to confirm vaccine availability.

Source: Walgreens