Walgreens to Help Provide Up to 3 Million Life-Saving Vaccines for Children who Need Them Most Through Donation to United Nations Foundation's Shot@Life Campaign

DEERFIELD, Ill, Sept. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Building upon its efforts to provide greater access to vaccines and other health care services for populations in need, Walgreens (NYSE: WAG) (Nasdaq: WAG) is partnering with the United Nations Foundation this flu season, to help provide up to 3 million life-saving vaccines to children in developing countries through a donation to the Foundation's Shot@Life campaign.

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Walgreens customers have an opportunity to play an integral role in the cause.  Now through Oct. 14, for every vaccine administered at any Walgreens pharmacy, Healthcare Clinic at select Walgreens or Duane Reade pharmacy in New York, Walgreens will donate the value of a life-saving vaccine, primarily those for polio and measles, through Shot@Life – up to 3 million vaccines. Statistics show 1 in 5 children worldwide lack access to life-saving immunizations, and a child dies every 20 seconds from a vaccine-preventable disease[1].

"We've developed a number of innovative programs and public-private partnerships through which we've helped improve immunization rates in medically underserved areas, and among other targeted populations in need across the U.S.," said Harry Leider, M.D., Walgreens chief medical officer.  "With the growing need for life-saving vaccines such as polio and measles in developing countries, we're proud to work with the UN Foundation on this important cause that provides access to vaccine for children in need, creates greater awareness and furthers our mission to help people get, stay and live well."

Shot@Life is a movement to protect children worldwide by providing life-saving vaccines where they are needed most. The campaign is focused on educating and empowering Americans to support and advocate for decreasing vaccine-preventable childhood deaths while giving children around the world a shot at a healthy life.

"Walgreens' generous donation will help save lives, while creating a greater awareness of the need to make vaccines available to parents around the world who want to protect their children from preventable diseases," said Kathy Calvin, president and chief executive officer of the United Nations Foundation. "Vaccines are one of the most cost-effective ways to save and improve the lives of children in developing countries by protecting them from life-threatening diseases."

The collaboration with Shot@Life builds upon Walgreens national and international efforts to provide greater access to much-needed health care services.  Over the last two years, Walgreens has worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization to donate more than 400,000 doses of flu vaccine for at-risk populations in Laos and Nicaragua.  In the U.S., Walgreens is in its fourth year of a flu shot voucher program developed in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Through the program, Walgreens has distributed approximately 1 million flu shot vouchers to uninsured and underinsured individuals nationwide.    

The Walgreens/Shot@Life program launches as flu season approaches in the U.S.  Flu shots are among the vaccinations now available daily at all Walgreens and Duane Reade pharmacies and all Healthcare Clinics at select Walgreens. 

Walgreens locations in most states offer a wide range of 17 CDC-recommended vaccines, including those to protect against shingles, pneumonia, pertussis (whooping cough), meningitis, hepatitis and others, although vaccine regulations vary by state.  Vaccinations are available during all pharmacy and clinic hours, including nights, overnights at 24-hour pharmacy locations, weekends and holidays[2], with no appointment necessary. 

Age restrictions also vary at Walgreens pharmacies, while Healthcare Clinics at select Walgreens can provide immunizations for patients age 2 and older.  Vaccinations are offered on a walk-in basis, and those interested in appointments can schedule one online for any Walgreens or Healthcare Clinic by visiting www.walgreens.com or www.walgreens.com/clinic.

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About Shot@Life

Shot@Life, a campaign of the United Nations Foundation, educates, connects and empowers Americans to help protect children in developing countries from vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, pneumonia, diarrhea and polio. By joining this movement, you can help save a child's life every 20 seconds by learning about, advocating for and donating vaccines to children who need them most.

Go to ShotAtLife.org to learn more.

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 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 8,105 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, medical practices, and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

[1] UN Foundation Shot@Life

[2] While immunizing health professional is on duty.  Subject to availability.  State, age and health-related restrictions apply.  See pharmacy for details.

SOURCE Walgreens