Walgreens Flu Index® December Report Shows Majority of the U.S. Experiencing High Flu Activity

Nebraska Tops the State List While the South Comprises Remainder of Top States and Nearly All Top Markets

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--While it’s now officially the new year the 2019-2020 flu season rolls on and is gaining traction according to the December Walgreens Flu Index® report. The December report shows increased activity compared to last month and last season in most states and markets, with Nebraska and Tennessee leading with the most instances of flu. In many places, the flu seemed to spike around Thanksgiving and holiday travel times. And even though the holiday season may be behind us, the flu season is not. Remember to protect yourself and loved ones from the flu – it’s not too late to get your flu shot!

Check out a recap of the top 10 markets and states for the month of December below:

Top 10 DMAs with Flu Activity
For month of December

1. Hattiesburg-Laurel, Miss.

2. San Angelo, Texas

3. Odessa-Midland, Texas

4. Jackson, Tenn.

5. Amarillo, Texas

6. Omaha, Neb.

7. Jonesboro, Ark.

8. Alexandria, La.

9. Oklahoma City, Okla.

10. Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas

Top 10 States with Flu Activity
For Month of December

1. Nebraska

2. Tennessee

3. Texas

4. Virginia

5. Mississippi

6. New Mexico

7. Oklahoma

8. Kentucky

9. Louisiana

10. Alabama

Launched six flu seasons ago, the Walgreens Flu Index is an online, interactive tool to view flu activity across markets and states in the U.S., including Puerto Rico. Each week, we analyze prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza across thousands of Walgreens and Duane Reade locations nationwide. In addition to the top markets and states, the Flu Index also ranks the markets and states experiencing the greatest gains in activity on a week-over-week basis.

A new feature of the Walgreens Flu Index for the 2019-2020 season allows you to see how current flu activity compares to last season. December data shows southern states are being hit the hardest with the widespread flu activity. Texas markets account for nearly half of those in the top 10 for flu activity. Index levels are significantly higher in Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Mississippi compared to this time last year.

The only thing predictable about the flu is that it’s unpredictable. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to protect yourself and loved ones is by getting a flu shot every season, ideally before the flu starts to spread in your community. But now is as good a time as any-flu season can extend into the spring season.

Where to Find the Walgreens Flu Index

Weekly reports of the Walgreens Flu Index are available through an online, interactive map, which allows anyone to search and find information regarding the most current state of influenza in their community –to view the latest report, click here. In addition, monthly updates will be published to the Walgreens Newsroom.

What’s Our Methodology?

The Index is not intended to illustrate levels or severity of flu activity, but rather, based on this methodology, to show which populations are experiencing the highest incidence of influenza within the U.S. and Puerto Rico each week.

Data for the Walgreens Flu Index is analyzed at state and geographic market levels to measure absolute impact and incremental change of antiviral medications on a per store average basis, and does not include markets in which Walgreens has fewer than 10 retail locations.

To learn more about the flu vaccine, visit Walgreens.com/flu or talk to your local Walgreens pharmacist. Patients can also contact pharmacy professionals 24/7 through Pharmacy Chat available on Walgreens.com and the mobile app.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (walgreens.com), one of the nation's largest drugstore chains, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), a global leader in retail and wholesale pharmacy. Walgreens is proud to be a neighborhood health, beauty and retail destination supporting communities across the country, and was named to FORTUNE* magazine’s 2019 Companies that Change the World list. Approximately 8 million customers interact with Walgreens in stores and online each day. As of August 31, 2019, Walgreens operates 9,277 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with its omnichannel business, Walgreens.com. Walgreens also provides specialty pharmacy and mail services and offers in-store clinics and other health care services throughout the United States, most of which are operated by our health care strategic partners.

*© 2019, Fortune Media IP Limited. Used under license.