Walgreens and ACCESS Reaffirm Commitment to Help Increase Vaccination Rates in Chicago's Most Medically-Underserved Communities

CHICAGO, Oct. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- To help improve flu immunization rates in underserved communities, Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG) and Access Community Health Network (ACCESS) are again working together to provide greater access to flu vaccines this season.  Through this collaboration, Walgreens is providing 5,000 free flu shot vouchers to ACCESS to help those without health insurance coverage and those unable to afford a flu shot without the voucher.  This effort will also help patients link to a medical home at ACCESS.   

Qualifying ACCESS patients can receive a free flu shot voucher at any of ACCESS' 45 community health center locations throughout the Chicagoland area while supplies last.  Vouchers are good for one flu shot at any Walgreens pharmacy or Take Care Clinic, available any day without an appointment and subject to the terms and conditions on the voucher. 

New this year, Walgreens pharmacists will join ACCESS at 24 on-site flu clinics at select ACCESS health center locations throughout the Chicagoland area to help better meet the needs of ACCESS patients, who may not have the finances or the ability to get a flu shot on their own. 

"By providing convenient access to flu shots at our stores, retail clinics and now, through flu clinics at select ACCESS health centers, we are creating meaningful opportunities to help protect more people from influenza this flu season," said Ron Weinert, Walgreens Vice President of Health Care Solutions.  "We are committed to helping people get, stay and live well. This relationship with ACCESS demonstrates the valuable role Walgreens pharmacists and Take Care Clinic nurse practitioners are playing in health care today, through coordinating care to improve patient outcomes and lower costs as part of a patient's care team.  It also underscores the importance of residents in our community being linked to a medical home."

To learn more about the Walgreens onsite flu clinics at ACCESS or for information on voucher requirements and availability, contact ACCESS toll free at 866.267.2353.

Walgreens and ACCESS have been working together for more than two years as part of a broader coordinated health care relationship to help improve community health and reduce the racial and ethnic health disparities in Chicagoland's most vulnerable communities.

"At ACCESS, we are proud to work with a national health leader that understands the challenges our patients face and is actively working with us on solutions to positively impact the health and wellness of the communities we serve overall," said Donna Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, Access Community Health Network.

From Walgreens onsite locations at ACCESS health centers to placing a pharmacy resident as a part of a coordinated care team, ACCESS and Walgreens continue to explore innovative ways to broaden their relationship and leverage the resources of both organizations to expand opportunities for ACCESS patients to better manage their health.

About Walgreens
As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2012 sales of $72 billion, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) vision is to become America's first choice for health and daily living. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 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 7,944 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.  

About Access Community Health Network
Access Community Health Network (ACCESS) offers outstanding primary and preventive care in 45 community health center locations throughout Chicago, suburban Cook and DuPage counties. Accredited by the Joint Commission, ACCESS health centers provide high-quality, affordable health care, which is accessible to patients right in their communities. More than 200,000 patients of all ages depend on ACCESS for preventive services, medical care and consultation with specialists. To schedule an appointment for you or your family, call toll free 1.866.882.2237. Visit www.accesscommunityhealth.net and follow ACCESS on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ACCESSHealth.

SOURCE Access Community Health Network