Walgreens and United Nations Foundation Launch "Get a Shot. Give a Shot" Campaign, Kicking Off Second Year of Collaboration to Provide Life-Saving Vaccines for Children in Developing Countries

DEERFIELD, Ill., September 09, 2014 - Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) (Nasdaq: WAG) and the United Nations Foundation today announced the launch of the “Get a Shot. Give a Shot®” campaign, a second year collaboration to provide life-saving vaccines to children who need them most in developing countries. Now through Oct. 13, for every flu shot or other immunization administered at Walgreens pharmacies, Healthcare Clinic at select Walgreens or Duane Reade pharmacy in New York, Walgreens will donate the value of a life-saving vaccine through the Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign.

After Oct. 13 and continuing year-round, Walgreens will donate the value of a vaccine for each additional non-flu, CDC-recommended immunization the company administers as part of “Get a Shot. Give a Shot®,” with an overall goal of 6 million life-saving vaccines, twice the number provided last year through the program with the help of Walgreens customers.

“'Get a Shot. Give a Shot®’ truly demonstrates the value of public/private collaboration and creates a unique opportunity for our customers to play an important role in helping to protect millions of children in developing countries from vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Kermit Crawford, Walgreens president, pharmacy, health and wellness. “So many countries are seeing decreases in childhood mortality as a result of higher immunization rates for measles and other diseases. And we’re proud to expand our relationship with the UN Foundation to carry our purpose to help people get, stay and live well beyond the U.S. and to other parts of the world.”

One in 5 children worldwide lack access to life-saving immunizations, and a child dies every 20 seconds from a vaccine-preventable disease. Coordinated worldwide vaccination efforts have made significant progress, particularly reducing cases of measles and polio.

Shot@Life is a movement to protect children worldwide by providing life-saving vaccines where they are needed most. The campaign partners with many organizations and corporations to broaden American support for immunizations against diseases like pneumonia, diarrhea, measles and polio to children in developing countries. Together, these partners are working with Shot@Life to benefit Gavi, UNICEF and the World Health Organization to save lives and improve the health of millions of children around the world through life-saving vaccines.

“Vaccines are one of the most cost-effective ways to improve the lives of children in developing countries by protecting them from life-threatening diseases,” said Kathy Calvin, president and chief executive officer of the UN Foundation. “With access to vaccines, families are healthier, economies are stronger, and governments are more stable. By expanding our partnership with Walgreens, we can continue to help children reach their full potential, while creating more prosperous, resilient communities.”

Walgreens locations in most states offer a wide range of 17 CDC-recommended vaccines, including those to protect against shingles, pneumonia, pertussis (whooping cough), meningitis, hepatitis and others, although vaccine regulations vary by state. Vaccinations are available during all pharmacy and clinic hours, including nights, overnights at 24-hour pharmacy locations, weekends and holidays¹, with no appointment necessary.

“As some of the most trusted health care professionals in America, our pharmacists, along with Healthcare Clinic nurse practitioners, are providing unprecedented access to immunizations and other important preventive health and wellness services,” said Brad Wasson, Walgreens group vice president, pharmacy, health and wellness. “We continue to develop innovative programs and initiatives aimed at improving immunization rates, and it’s gratifying to see the impact Walgreens is making in the U.S., and increasingly, across the globe.”

Age restrictions vary at Walgreens pharmacies, while Healthcare Clinics at select Walgreens can provide immunizations for patients age two and older. Duane Reade pharmacies can administer vaccinations to those age 18 and older.

Vaccinations are offered on a walk-in basis, and those interested in appointments can schedule one online for any Walgreens or Healthcare Clinic by visiting www.walgreens.com or www.walgreens.com/clinic.

The collaboration with UN Foundation builds upon Walgreens national and international efforts to provide greater access to much-needed health care services. In the U.S., Walgreens is in its fifth year of a flu shot voucher program developed in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Through the program, Walgreens has distributed more than 1 million flu shot vouchers to uninsured and underinsured individuals nationwide. Also in recent years, Walgreens has worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization to donate more than 400,000 doses of flu vaccine for at-risk populations in Laos and Nicaragua.

About Shot@Life

Shot@Life, a campaign of the United Nations Foundation, educates, connects and empowers Americans to help protect children in developing countries from vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, pneumonia, diarrhea and polio. By joining this movement, you can help save a child’s life every 20 seconds by learning about, advocating for and donating vaccines to children who need them most. Go to ShotAtLife.org to learn more.

About Walgreens

As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2013 sales of $72 billion, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) vision is to be the first choice in health and daily living for everyone in America, and beyond. Each day, in communities across America, more than 8 million customers interact with Walgreens using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with online and mobile 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. The company operates 8,192 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Walgreens digital business includes Walgreens.com, drugstore.com, Beauty.com, SkinStore.com and VisionDirect.com. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that manages more than 400 in-store convenient care clinics throughout the country.

¹ While immunizing health professional is on duty. Subject to availability. State, age and health-related restrictions apply. See pharmacy for details.

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Walgreens
Jim Cohn, (847) 315-2950
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Rebecca Davis, (202) 887-9040
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