Walgreens, Access Community Health Network Partner to Increase Flu Vaccination Rates in Chicago's Medically-Underserved Communities

DEERFIELD, Ill., December 14, 2011 - Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) (NASDAQ: WAG) and Access Community Health Network (ACCESS) of Chicago are teaming up in an effort to protect more people in Chicago’s medically-underserved communities from the flu this season, through a new program in which Walgreens will provide more than 10,000 free flu shot vouchers for eligible ACCESS patients.

Qualifying individuals can receive a voucher at any of ACCESS’ 50 community health center locations throughout the Chicagoland area. Vouchers are good for one flu shot at any Walgreens pharmacy or Take Care Clinic, which offer flu shots daily with no appointment necessary, and are subject to the terms and conditions on the voucher. In order to be eligible to receive the voucher, a patient must not have insurance coverage for a flu shot and not be able to afford one without the assistance of the voucher.

“Heading into what are traditionally the peak months for flu activity in Chicago, this is another way we’re helping to protect more people from influenza and providing convenient access to Walgreens flu shots in medically-underserved communities,” said Ron Weinert, Walgreens vice president of health systems services. “Our relationship with ACCESS demonstrates the valuable role Walgreens pharmacists are playing in health care today, coordinating care to improve patient outcomes and lower costs as part of a patient’s care team. It also underscores the importance of residents in our community being linked to a medical home.”

Walgreens and ACCESS have been working together for more than a year as part of a broader coordinated health care relationship to improve community health and reduce the racial and ethnic health disparities in Chicagoland’s most vulnerable communities. For example, in November Walgreens opened an on-site pharmacy at the ACCESS Genesis Center for Health and Empowerment health center in Des Plaines, which predominantly cares for an underserved Hispanic population.

“By working closely with the pharmacy leadership at Walgreens, we at ACCESS believe that with our shared vision, we can improve access to care, care coordination, quality and health education and transform the primary care medical home approaches at ACCESS and serve as a national model,” said Donna Thompson, chief executive officer, Access Community Health Network.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2011 sales of $72 billion. The company operates 7,811 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 and mail service, along with 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. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is 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.

About Access Community Health Network

Access Community Health Network (ACCESS) offers outstanding primary and preventive care in 50 community health center locations throughout Chicago, suburban Cook and DuPage counties. Accredited by the Joint Commission, ACCESS health centers provide high-quality, affordable health care, which is accessible to patients right in their communities. More than 200,000 patients of all ages depend on ACCESS for preventive services, medical care and consultation with specialists. To schedule an appointment for you or your family, call toll free 1.866.882.2237. Visit www.accesscommunityhealth.net and follow ACCESS on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ACCESSHealth.

Walgreens
Jim Cohn, (847) 315-2950
http://news.walgreens.com