Duane Reade Announces Expanded Availability of H1N1 Flu Shots at 19 Locations Across the Five Boroughs

NEW YORK, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ --

WHAT:

In response to the continued threat of infection and heightened demand from New Yorkers, Duane Reade, the largest drug store chain in New York City, is holding H1N1 flu shot clinics.

WHERE/WHEN:

Saturday and Sunday, January 9-10 and 16-17, from 10 AM - 6 PM.

• Bronx: 1780 Gun Hill Rd.
• Brooklyn: 164 Kent Avenue (at N. 5th Street)
• Queens: 163-30 Cross Bay Boulevard (at 163rd Avenue)

Monday, January 11 - Friday, January 15, from 10 AM - 6 PM.

Manhattan

• 1430 Broadway @ 40th St.
• 405 Lexington @ 42nd St.
• 2522 Broadway @ 94th St.
• 279 W. 125th St. @ F. Douglas Blvd.
• 1279 3rd Ave. @ E. 74th St.
• 155 E. 34th St. @ 3rd Avenue
• 77 7th Ave. @ 14th St.
• 253 W. 72nd St. @ West End Avenue
• 463 8th Ave. (One Penn West) @ 34th St.
• 250 W. 57th St. @ Broadway
• 200 Water St. @ Fulton St.

Brooklyn

• 386 Fulton St. (Fulton Mall)
• 1833 Norstrand Ave. @ Avenue D

Queens

• 3915 Main Street @ Roosevelt Avenue
• 93-01 Sutphin Blvd @ Archer Avenue
• 40-02 Broadway @ Steinway St.

Duane Reade will run additional clinics through the end of March for which updated times and locations will be available on the Duane Reade website www.duanereade.com.

WHO:

Duane Reade's network of certified pharmacists will be on hand to administer H1N1 vaccinations to New Yorkers on a first come, first serve basis for a minimal charge of $20. Customers who are New York Medicaid or Medicare beneficiaries can receive the immunizations at Duane Reade as a covered benefit. All other customers should speak with their insurance providers to determine if the cost of the vaccine is covered under their individual plans.

MORE:

The threat of H1N1 is still very real and poses an unpredictable threat to New Yorkers.

Flu season is not over yet. The season typically runs through the end of March and may be longer than normal this year. Recall that last year H1N1 struck in the early spring, long after the typical "flu season."

According to statistics from the New York City Department of Health, from May through December 2009 at least 2,500 New York City residents were hospitalized as a result of H1N1.

Local and state government officials are actively encouraging all New Yorkers to get vaccinated as soon as possible. New York State Governor Paterson said on December 31, 2009, "The H1N1 flu is still active in New York State, so increasing the number of New Yorkers who receive the vaccination will help to reduce flu activity in the months ahead."

Duane Reade Pharmacy Services for Consumers

For the most up-to-date information and exact store locations where New Yorkers can receive the H1N1 vaccination, please visit Duane Reade's website at www.duanereade.com/FluShots.aspx or call the customer service hotline at 1-866-DR-LOYAL (1-866-375-6925). Customers may also sign up to receive mobile alerts that will inform them of specific Duane Reade store locations where the vaccine will be available. Interested parties can simply text "flu" to 63103 and follow the instructions when prompted.

Duane Reade Pharmacy Services for New York Businesses

Duane Reade is also offering its H1N1 vaccination services to New York businesses and their employees. For more information about how Duane Reade can provide on-site vaccinations for your business, please call 1-866-DR-LOYAL.

About Duane Reade: Founded in 1960, Duane Reade is the largest drug store chain in New York City. In keeping with company's brand vision of New York Living Made Easy, Duane Reade provides New Yorkers with prescriptions, health products and services, beauty products and services, food and convenience items for daily life in the City... everything for "How I Feel", "How I Look", and "What I Need Now". The company operates 250+ stores throughout the metropolitan New York region.

    Press
    Contact:    Caren Villarreal
                Duane Reade
                212-273-5772

                Samantha Cohen
                FD
                212-850-5737

SOURCE Duane Reade