Walgreens Pharmacies and Take Care Clinics Now Offering Seasonal Flu Shots Daily from 10 A.M. - 4 P.M.

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--From the President of the United States to local health officials, authorities throughout the country are encouraging people to be proactive when it comes to flu prevention this year, starting with getting a seasonal flu shot. Walgreens (NYSE: WAG)(NASDAQ: WAG), with the nation’s largest retail network of certified immunizers, announced that beginning today and through Sept. 30, consumers can receive a seasonal flu shot between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at any of its more than 7,000 locations – including all Walgreens pharmacies in 50 states and almost 350 Take Care Clinics.

“With greater awareness around this flu season, we’ve furthered our commitment to today’s busy consumers by offering set flu shot hours and added flexibility seven days a week.”

Shots are also available by appointment and outside the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. window if an immunizing pharmacist or nurse practitioner is on duty. State age and health condition-related restrictions may apply.

“Every year we stress the importance of seasonal flu shots,” said Walgreens President and CEO Greg Wasson. “With greater awareness around this flu season, we’ve furthered our commitment to today’s busy consumers by offering set flu shot hours and added flexibility seven days a week.”

With more than 16,000 pharmacists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants licensed or certified to provide flu shots, Walgreens has the largest retail network of immunizers in the U.S.

Seasonal flu shots cost $24.99, and Take Care Clinics are again offering the FluMist nasal spray as an alternative to the shot for $29.99. Shots may be covered by insurance plans as well as Medicare Part B. Patients are encouraged to check with their insurance provider for coverage details.

Walgreens Launches Public Awareness Campaign and New Advertising

In a continued effort to provide education and greater awareness this flu season, Walgreens today launched the Arm Yourself for the Ones You Love public service and advertising campaign. The campaign encourages early seasonal flu shots as the most effective means to also protect those with whom consumers are in close contact every day. The campaign further highlights Walgreens seasonal flu shot availability from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through the end of September.

The new advertising includes television spots featuring Walgreens President and CEO Greg Wasson. All new creative was released today.

In the U.S., the annual direct medical costs (hospitalization, doctors’ office visits, medications, etc.) of influenza are estimated at almost $4.6 billion. Additionally, more than 110 million workdays are lost because of the flu, costing U.S. businesses more than $7 billion annually in sick days and lost productivity¹.

The latest flu information is continually updated and available on the Walgreens Web site at www.walgreens.com/flu.

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2008 sales of $59 billion. The company operates 6,996 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Walgreens provides the most convenient access to consumer goods and services and cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services in America through its retail drugstores, Walgreens Health Services division and Walgreens Health and Wellness division. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc., Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC and SeniorMed LLC (a pharmacy provider to long-term care facilities). Walgreens Health and Wellness Division includes Take Care Health Systems, the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

¹ Solvay, 2009 – Solvay-influenza.com