CAMP HILL, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
In an effort to encourage people to get a flu shot to protect themselves from the flu this holiday season, Rite Aid is teaming up with Dr. Jennifer Caudle, a nationally renowned health expert and practicing family physician, during National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW). Created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2005, NIVW is a national observance that was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as fostering greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January. Last week, the CDC reported that flu season is off to an early start and could peak over the holidays if flu activity continues to increase at its current weekly pace.
Dr. Caudle and Rite Aid certified immunizing pharmacist Chris Altman will host a special flu-focused Facebook Live event on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. ET to answer questions about the flu, address common misconceptions and provide helpful tips on how to stay healthy throughout flu season. To learn more about the event and set a reminder, visit www.facebook.com/riteaid.
“Vaccination is the single best way to protect yourself against the flu,” says Dr. Caudle. “Rite Aid pharmacists undergo special training and are professionally certified to administer immunizations and with thousands of locations across the country, Rite Aid pharmacies are a convenient and professional setting for flu shots. That’s why I’m partnering with Rite Aid and reminding people to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
As one of the most accessible healthcare providers, Rite Aid’s 11,000 certified immunizing pharmacists are a valuable resource in helping people fight the flu, which the CDC estimates will infect one in five Americans this year. Rite Aid pharmacists are specially trained in immunizations and are able to make vaccine recommendations based on an individuals’ specific health needs.
“Our pharmacists are on the frontlines of healthcare in the communities they serve, and when it comes to fighting the flu, as certified immunizers, they can be a patient’s first line of defense,” says Jocelyn Konrad, Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy. “And because flu activity typically peaks between December and March according to the CDC, National Influenza Vaccination Week is the perfect time to remind people there’s still time to get vaccinated and protect themselves as well as their family this flu season.”
The CDC recommends that most healthy Americans, six months or older, including pregnant women, get vaccinated. Since it takes about two weeks from the date of your shot for your body to develop its full defense against the flu, waiting until there is an outbreak may be too late.
Seasonal flu shots are available at Rite Aid locations across the country. This year Rite Aid is offering three types of flu vaccines: a quadrivalent flu vaccine, which offers protection against four strains of the flu, the standard trivalent vaccine, and FLUAD, a trivalent vaccine with adjuvant, an ingredient that helps create a stronger immune response to vaccination, which is approved for people 65 and older.
Flu shots are covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare Part B and are available during pharmacy hours; no appointment is necessary. To locate the nearest Rite Aid pharmacy, visit www.riteaid.com or call 1-800-RITE-AID.
Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains fiscal 2017 annual revenues of $32.8 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com.
Dr. Jennifer Caudle is a board-certified Family Medicine physician and Associate Professor in the department of Family Medicine at Rowan University-School of Osteopathic Medicine. She is a regular on-air health expert for local and national news networks. She has appeared on CNN, The Dr. Oz Show, FOX News, CBS Philly 3 News, The Tom Joyner Morning Show, PBS and many others. Her health articles have been published in The Daily Beast, CNN.com, DoctorOz.com, abcNEWS.com and she has been quoted by USA Today, Huff Post, Reader’s Digest, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, Yahoo and many other media outlets. In 1999, Dr. Caudle earned the title of Miss Iowa and competed in the 1999 Miss America Pageant. Her website is: http://www.jennifercaudle.com/.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171205005969/en/
