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CINCINNATI — Kroger Co. has partnered with The Salvation Army and hunger relief group Feeding America to offer free flu shots to people who lack health insurance or have inadequate coverage.
The food and drug retailer said Thursday that the alliance with the two organizations will bring flu vaccinations to thousands of individuals at no charge.
Starting on Dec. 9, Kroger is providing free flu shot vouchers via The Salvation Army and Feeding America. Uninsured or underinsured shoppers can visit The Salvation Army or a Feeding America food bank location in their community to pick up a voucher and then go to a Kroger Co. pharmacy in their area to get the free flu vaccine.
Kroger operates more than 1,900 pharmacies in 31 states under the banners Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s. Pharmacists and nurse practitioners will provide the flu shots in those stores. In addition, flu shot vouchers can be redeemed in the supermarket retailer’s Little Clinic health clinics, which are in 77 Kroger, Fry’s and King Soopers stores.
"We’re proud of the role our pharmacists and nurse practitioners play in keeping our customers healthy," Lincoln Lutz, vice president of pharmacy at Kroger, said in a statement. "Kroger has long partnerships with Feeding America and The Salvation Army, and we’re pleased we can work together again during the flu season to promote health and wellness through these free flu shot vouchers."
Each year, an average of 5% to 20% of the U.S. population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications and about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes, according to Kroger. The retailer said it provides more than a million flu shots nationwide annually.
"The Salvation Army is delighted to partner with Kroger to help protect thousands of people who may not have access to a flu shot, including patients for whom cost may be an issue," stated Maj. George Hood, national community relations and development secretary for The Salvation Army.
Commented Maura Daly, senior vice president of corporate partnerships at Feeding America, "With the current economy and high unemployment, it is harder for families to afford health benefits. This partnership puts together nutritious food and flu shots which meets a common desire: to keep our clients and customers healthy."
