Registered Nurses Provide Immunizations at Walmart Stores Nationwide

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Aug. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Walmart announced today the launch of expanded immunizations in more than 2,700 Walmart stores. In collaboration with Mollen Immunization Clinics, ten of the CDC-recommended immunizations will be offered, including vaccinations for shingles and whooping cough, at events taking place from Aug. 27 through Nov. 15. The flu vaccine and pneumonia vaccine will also be available at events in more than 3,800 Walmart store locations with a pharmacy.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120823/DA61630-INFO)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101115/DA01204LOGO)

Walmart is the first national retailer to use registered nurses to administer in-store vaccinations across all store locations. By using Mollen Immunization Clinics' nurse network, Walmart will offer immunizations to anyone three years and older based on CDC and FDA guidelines. Walmart is also partnering with Mollen to provide free blood pressure screenings at all immunization events in Walmart stores on Sept. 8, 15, 22 and 29.

"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many adults are not up-to-date with recommended life-saving immunizations. Vaccinations may not be top-of-mind while the weather is still warm, but they are a critical part of public health, especially in light of recent outbreaks of whooping cough and shingles," said John Agwunobi, M.D., president of Walmart U.S. Health and Wellness. "We are making it easy and affordable for our customers to receive their vaccinations – while on their normal shopping trips they can simply stop by immunization events, which will accept thousands of insurance plans and offer low price options for our cash paying customers."

Specific offerings will include:

• Flu (influenza) – offered at all Walmart locations with a Walmart pharmacy
• Pneumonia (pneumococcal) – offered at all Walmart locations with a Walmart pharmacy
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Chickenpox (varicella)
• HPV (human papilloma virus)
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Meningitis (meningococcal)
• Shingles (herpes zoster)
• Tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough (pertussis) (Tdap)

Flu shots at Walmart are available for $25. Based on the World Health Organization's recommendations, this year's flu shot will protect against the H1N1, H3N2 and influenza B virus strains.

Walmart's immunization events are part of the company's effort to provide customers with better access to quality, affordable healthcare. Medicare Part B as well as thousands of insurance plans will be accepted at these events.  For cash paying customers, Walmart offers everyday low prices on immunizations representing up to a 37 percent savings over other retail clinics. Customers can either make an appointment in advance or stop by the events during their regular shopping trips. Specific vaccination offerings will differ by store.

For details on specific immunization offerings by store and to make an appointment, please visit www.walmart.com/flushots.

About Walmart 
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 10,300 retail units under 69 different banners in 27 countries. With fiscal year 2012 sales of $444 billion, Walmart employs 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmartnewsroom. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com. 

About Mollen Immunization Clinics
Mollen enables its customers to deliver and access healthcare services in the most convenient and cost effective ways possible.  Mollen is the largest independent mass immunizer in the country.  In 2011 Mollen employed over 30,000 nurses and conducted over 165,000 immunization and health screening clinics nationwide.  Learn more at www.FluShotsUSA.com.

SOURCE Walmart