DEERFIELD, Ill. — U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius received a flu vaccination at a Chicago-area Walgreens store to highlight the importance of flu season preparedness.
Walgreens said Sebelius received her flu shot Wednesday morning at one of its "health and daily living" pilot stores in metropolitan Chicago.
In addition, Walgreens president and chief executive officer Greg Wasson gave Sebelius a tour of the store to point out the new format’s ability to offer accessible, preventive health services such as flu vaccines and diabetes care in underserved communities.
"It’s very exciting to see stores like these built on the principle that good health starts with steps we can all take to avoid getting sick in the first place," Sebelius said in a statement. "A perfect example of preventive care is getting your annual flu shot to protect yourself and your loved ones. So we’re working closely with pharmacies like Walgreens to make the vaccine widely available in communities across the country."
Plans call for 20 Walgreens locations in the Chicago market to test the new store concept, which turns the pharmacy area into a neighborhood health center.
"We appreciate Secretary Sebelius recognizing the important role of community pharmacists in health care," Wasson stated. "With this pilot store, we are advancing the profession of pharmacy by providing greater accessibility to pharmacists for medication counseling, answering questions and providing additional clinical services."
