Washington, D.C & Deerfield, Ill. – Sept. 8, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with Walgreens, will help provide more than $10 million worth of free flu shot vouchers this flu season to improve flu immunization rates among uninsured Americans. Through the initiative, which is in its seventh year, Walgreens has provided more than $50 million worth of vouchers to communities across the country.
HHS and Walgreens are distributing vouchers through a variety of outreach efforts, local events and community and faith-based organizations nationwide.
“Since 2010, this partnership has helped us make substantial strides in addressing disparities in flu vaccination coverage by providing free flu shots for more than 1.4 million people,” said J. Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCE, deputy assistant secretary for minority health and director of the HHS Office of Minority Health. “As the flu season approaches, our continued collaboration will help protect hundreds of thousands of people from influenza, which can make chronic health problems worse or lead to hospitalization or even death.”
Richard Ashworth, Walgreens president of pharmacy and retail operations, said: “We’re proud to continue to grow our collaboration with HHS and to be working together to meet the health care needs of the communities we serve. We know that cost can be a barrier for some people when it comes to vaccinations and other preventive care. And by providing access to flu shots at no cost for those who are eligible, we can make a significant impact by protecting more people throughout the flu season.”
Individuals who are eligible can call 866-994-6757 to find the nearest location where flu shot vouchers may be available. Each voucher is good for one flu shot at any Walgreens pharmacy in the continental U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Duane Reade pharmacies in New York and Walgreens Healthcare Clinic locations, and is subject to the terms and conditions on the voucher.
About Walgreens
Walgreens ( www.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), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. More than 8 million customers interact with Walgreens each day in communities across America, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens operates 8,173 drugstores with a presence 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 and VisionDirect.com. More than 400 Walgreens stores offer Healthcare Clinic or other provider retail clinic services.
About U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the U.S. government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. To find out more HHS and the services it provides, please visit: www.hhs.gov
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HHS and Walgreens are distributing vouchers through a variety of outreach efforts, local events and community and faith-based organizations nationwide.
“Since 2010, this partnership has helped us make substantial strides in addressing disparities in flu vaccination coverage by providing free flu shots for more than 1.4 million people,” said J. Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCE, deputy assistant secretary for minority health and director of the HHS Office of Minority Health. “As the flu season approaches, our continued collaboration will help protect hundreds of thousands of people from influenza, which can make chronic health problems worse or lead to hospitalization or even death.”
Richard Ashworth, Walgreens president of pharmacy and retail operations, said: “We’re proud to continue to grow our collaboration with HHS and to be working together to meet the health care needs of the communities we serve. We know that cost can be a barrier for some people when it comes to vaccinations and other preventive care. And by providing access to flu shots at no cost for those who are eligible, we can make a significant impact by protecting more people throughout the flu season.”
Individuals who are eligible can call 866-994-6757 to find the nearest location where flu shot vouchers may be available. Each voucher is good for one flu shot at any Walgreens pharmacy in the continental U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Duane Reade pharmacies in New York and Walgreens Healthcare Clinic locations, and is subject to the terms and conditions on the voucher.
About Walgreens
Walgreens ( www.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), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. More than 8 million customers interact with Walgreens each day in communities across America, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens operates 8,173 drugstores with a presence 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 and VisionDirect.com. More than 400 Walgreens stores offer Healthcare Clinic or other provider retail clinic services.
About U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the U.S. government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. To find out more HHS and the services it provides, please visit: www.hhs.gov
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