As National Influenza Vaccination Week Kicks Off, Walgreens Highlights Flu's Impact on Winter Vacations - 11 Million Trips Interrupted in 2012, Survey Suggests

DEERFIELD, Ill., Dec. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is driving flu shot awareness during its National Influenza Vaccination Week campaign Dec. 8-14, and with the winter holidays and busy travel period approaching, Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) (Nasdaq: WAG) is giving people another telling reminder of why protection from the flu is important - more than 11 million Americans had vacation plans disrupted by the flu in 2012, the company's recent Impact Survey suggests. 

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"It is important to remember that the vaccine doesn't just protect the person getting a flu shot, it helps to protect friends, family, co-workers and others with whom they're coming in contact," said Harry Leider, M.D., Walgreens chief medical officer. "This time of year, germs and viruses can easily spread as people travel, gather for the holidays and enjoy other seasonal community activities. Last year we saw the widespread effect this can have for those who maybe didn't take the proper preventive measures."

The Walgreens Flu Impact Report found that last year's severe flu season significantly impacted holiday events in general, with 17 million of them cancelled or interrupted, based on survey projections.  The 2012-13 flu season was one of the most severe in the U.S. in more than a decade and according to the study, had three times the impact over a more typical flu season on travel and holiday plans.

Flu Clinics

In support of National Influenza Vaccination Week, Walgreens is collaborating with health departments and other community organizations in a number of states including Illinois, Nevada, Rhode Island and Texas, as well as the city of Boston to host flu clinics and other events throughout the week. For more information regarding National Influenza Vaccination Week events and activities, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw,

The CDC recommends a flu shot for everyone over the age of 6 months. Flu shots are also available daily with no appointment necessary at all Walgreens pharmacies, Healthcare Clinics and Duane Reade drugstores in New York[1]. 

Methodology

The Flu Impact Survey was conducted online within the United States by USamp on behalf of Walgreens from Aug. 27 to Sept. 4, 2013, among 1,200 nationally representative adults ages 18 and older. Flu Impact Report results were balanced on key demographics to allow projection of results to the entire U.S. adult population. Results are based on self-reported instances of the flu and flu-like symptoms. Projections incorporate the latest data available for average compensation and hours worked from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, population data and projections from the United States Census and compared against beta Flu Work Loss models developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The margin of error for the national sample is +/-2.9 percent reported at a 95 percent confidence level.

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, Walgreens provides more than 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. The company operates 8,197 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers, provider practices, and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 750 locations throughout the country.

[1] Vaccine subject to availability. Age, state and health related restrictions may apply.

SOURCE Walgreens