BOISE, Idaho, Aug. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Albertsons Companies Pharmacies are now offering broad flu protection with the QIV flu vaccine. QIV offers protection against four of the most common strains of the flu virus and promises to help consumers maximize their protection against the flu this season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older, with rare exception, get an annual flu vaccination as soon as it is available. Vaccinations protect the individuals and everyone around them, protecting healthy individuals and high-risk groups (i.e., ages 65 and older) from possible severe symptoms, flu-related complications, and hospitalization. With up to 20% of Americans getting the flu annually, the best protection a person has is getting vaccinated as early in the flu season as possible.

"We want to do all we can to keep our communities healthy, which is why we chose to provide the four-strain flu vaccine this flu season," said Mark Panzer, Albertsons Companies Senior Vice President of Pharmacy Health and Wellness. "Our pharmacies are ready, day and evening, to provide vaccinations through our stores, pharmacies, and off-site flu clinics, making the process affordable and convenient."

Since flu viruses are always changing, flu vaccines are updated every year. As a result, everyone age 6 months and older should get the flu shot each year. To avoid the risk of flu or flu-related complications, the CDC stresses the importance of people with chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, COPD, or immunosuppressive conditions, receive a flu shot this season. For those 65 years and older, the flu can be dangerous, and they are at greater risk of complications.

Now through February 2017, no appointment is necessary as the flu vaccine is provided on a "walk-in" basis at more than 1,700 Albertsons Companies pharmacies, including those in Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, and Carrs stores. Albertsons Companies pharmacies also provide an off-site flu clinic service for businesses, senior centers and nursing homes that choose to provide their employees or residents with the convenience of receiving a flu vaccine where they work or live.

Most insurance plans cover the flu shot completely. There is no cost to patients who are covered by Medicare Part B. Everyone who receives their flu vaccination will also receive a 10% discount off a grocery purchase of their choice where allowed by law.

Albertsons Companies offers comprehensive immunization services to ensure patients are protected against all vaccine-preventable diseases. In addition to the flu vaccinations, Albertsons Companies pharmacies offer back-to-school immunizations, travel vaccinations, and vaccines for shingles, tetanus, hepatitis, pneumococcal, meningococcal and more.

About Albertsons Companies
Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, with both a strong local presence and national scale. We operate stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 19 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs. Albertsons Companies is dedicated to helping people across the country live better lives. In 2015 alone, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the company gave more than $270 million in food and financial support to the more than 2,300 communities it serves, improving the lives of millions of people in the areas of hunger relief, education, cancer research and treatment, programs for people with disabilities, and veterans outreach. Albertsons Companies is committed to making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood.

Contact: Teena Massingill
925-226-5820
teena.massingill@albertsons.com

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SOURCE Albertsons Companies