Table of Contents
DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and the United Nations Foundation have kicked off the 2016 “Get a Shot. Give a Shot” campaign.
The collaboration, now in its fourth year, helps provide life-saving vaccines to children in developing countries. Through Aug. 31, 2017, for every flu shot or other immunization administered at Walgreens pharmacies, Healthcare Clinics or Duane Reade pharmacies, Walgreens will donate the value of a life-saving vaccine through the Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign.
With the support of Walgreens customers, the campaign has helped to provide more than 15 million polio and measles vaccines since the program’s inception in 2013.
“Get a Shot. Give a Shot creates a unique opportunity for our customers to play an active role in helping to protect millions of children from vaccine-preventable diseases,” Alex Gourlay, president of Walgreens, said in a statement. “This campaign is one of the many ways in which we’re helping to improve immunization rates among targeted populations, both here in the U.S. and across the globe. It’s gratifying to see the impact Walgreens and its customers are making to champion everyone’s right to be happy and healthy.”
According to the UN Foundation, one in five children worldwide lack access to life-saving immunizations, and a child dies every 20 seconds from a vaccine-preventable disease. Coordinated worldwide vaccination efforts have made significant progress, particularly reducing cases of measles and polio.
“Families everywhere deserve the opportunity to keep their children safe from preventable diseases like measles and polio. Get a Shot. Give a Shot gives Walgreens customers a chance to support the health and wellbeing of children around the world while taking care of their own health needs,” stated Kathy Calvin, president and chief executive officer of the UN Foundation. “At the UN Foundation, we believe every child deserves a shot at a healthy life. Walgreens’ support of the Shot@Life campaign is an important part of making that vision a reality.”
