HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart Corp. this weekend plans to begin offering seasonal flu shots at reduced prices.
The Sears Holdings Corp. discount store subsidiary said Friday that with flu season at its peak and the possibility of cases occurring as late as May this year, it provide flu vaccinations for $15 starting on Feb. 20, while supplies last. That represents $10 off the price of flu shots when Kmart announced its flu vaccine program in late September.
The flu immunizations are available at more than 500 Kmart Pharmacy locations and are administered by trained practitioners, Kmart said. Also, those who buy a flu shot and are members of the Shop Your Way Rewards customer loyalty program will earn 15,000 points, a $15 value, according to the retailer.
"As Kmart Pharmacy gears up to provide customers with additional influenza immunizations, we want to remind people that the virus is easily transferable, and the best and easiest way to prevent the flu is by getting an annual vaccination," Robb Ayshford, divisional vice president of pharmacy administration for Kmart, said in a statement. "For those seeking more information about influenza, our staff of knowledgeable on-site Kmart pharmacists is also available to answer flu or other health-related questions on how to help combat illness as the season progresses."
Kmart noted that according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza is unpredictable and can occur as late as May, even though flu shots are often associated with the fall and winter seasons. The retailer said the CDC indicates that the geographic prevalence of flu has been increasing throughout the season and, in recent February updates, has been reported as widespread in 37 states.
