CAMP HILL, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
In an effort to help patients looking to protect themselves against the flu, Rite Aid announced today the availability of seasonal flu shots at Rite Aid pharmacies across the country. Patients can visit any of Rite Aid’s more than 4,500 convenient pharmacy locations to receive a flu shot from a certified immunizing Rite Aid pharmacist, subject to state regulations.
“Getting a flu shot as soon as the vaccine becomes available is the single best way to protect yourself from the flu and maintain one’s overall health, while also helping prevent the spread of seasonal flu,” said Jocelyn Konrad, Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy. “With more than 11,000 certified immunizing pharmacists and thousands of locations across the country, getting a flu shot at Rite Aid today will help protect you throughout flu season.”
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.
This year, Rite Aid pharmacies will offer a quadrivalent flu vaccine, which offers protection against four strains of the flu: the influenza A H3N2 virus, the influenza A H1N1 virus and two strains of influenza B virus; a standard trivalent vaccine; and FLUAD, a trivalent vaccine with adjuvant, an ingredient that helps create a stronger immune response to vaccination, approved for people 65 and older.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months and older get a flu vaccination by the end of October. While the CDC recommends flu shots for everyone over six months, certain groups of people are at greater risk for complications from the flu. These groups include: people with diabetes, pregnant women, adults over 65, children under 5, those with asthma and other chronic lung diseases, those with kidney and liver disorders, heart disease patients and those with compromised immune systems.
Shield Your Workforce Against the Flu
According to the CDC, the flu costs the United States more than $87 billion annually and is responsible for the loss of close to 17 million workdays each flu season. To help employers and their workforce fight the flu, Rite Aid will again offer onsite workplace flu clinics staffed by certified immunizing Rite Aid pharmacists. Rite Aid is also able to offer employers a voucher program, in which employees would receive a flu shot voucher to use at any Rite Aid pharmacy. For more information, employers can visit www.shieldmyworkforce.com or call 1-855-882-5948.
Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with more than 4,500 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and 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.
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