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DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is highlighting the availability of meningitis B vaccines at all of its Santa Clara, Calif.-area stores.
The drug chain said Monday that county health officials are urging residents to get immunized because of a number of reported meningitis B cases in the area, where there are 15 Walgreens stores.
The vaccinations are available daily on a walk-in basis during regular pharmacy hours may be covered by select insurance plans, Walgreens said.
Pharmacists in California can administer the meningitis B vaccine to qualified patients ages 10 to 25 and other vaccinations to people ages 7 and older.
“We support the recommendations of local health officials and stress that vaccination is the best protection against Meningitis B,” Hayley Park, regional health care director for Walgreens, said in a statement. “Walgreens pharmacists play an important role by providing more convenient access to vaccinations and other preventive services throughout the community.”
Meningitis spreads through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions and mainly affects infants, adolescents and young adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Teens and adults whose immunity has dissipated or who are living in close quarters, such as college dormitories, may also be at risk.