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PHILADELPHIA – Rite Aid is participating in Hepatitis Awareness Month in May by providing additional education opportunities for its pharmacists to learn more about viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that affects more than three million people each year in the U.S. Additionally, all Rite Aid pharmacists can help customers learn more about how vaccination can help safeguard their health against the Hepatitis B virus.
In Washington state, Rite Aid is collaborating with the King County Department of Health to host a webinar on Hepatitis B vaccines for local stores while also looking to expand educational opportunities across other Rite Aid markets. Rite Aid’s clinical team is partnering with local immunization partners across our footprint to support best practices around Hepatitis B prevention.
“Our pharmacists can help customers address their ongoing health concerns and provide counsel on protecting themselves against relevant viruses,” said Chris Altman, senior director, Clinical & Health Plan Solutions at Rite Aid. “Pharmacist intervention is a continuous priority, and having an observance to mark the occasion allows us to further raise awareness of the importance of Hepatitis B protection.”
During May, government agencies work with healthcare partners to raise awareness of the importance of vaccination for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, testing for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, the availability of effective care and curative treatment, and the serious health consequences resulting from undiagnosed and untreated viral hepatitis. These observances are important opportunities to raise widespread awareness of viral hepatitis and its impact in the U.S. and expand our coordinated national efforts to improve the health of the estimated 862,000 people living with hepatitis B and 2.4 million people living with hepatitis C.
The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants, all children or adolescents younger than 19 years of age who have not been vaccinated, and all adults aged 19 through 59 years. Eligible Rite Aid customers may schedule an appointment through the online scheduler. Customers may also consult their local Rite Aid pharmacists on vaccinations and health concerns.
