DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. is introducing a gift that keeps on giving: a flu shot gift card.
The drug store chain on Tuesday said it’s rolling out a gift card for flu vaccinations as a way to help more Americans stay well throughout the upcoming flu season.
Flu shot gift cards are available at all of the more than 7,500 Walgreens stores nationwide and will soon be available through Walgreens.com, the company reported. The cards cost $29.99 and are good for one flu shot at any Walgreens pharmacy or Take Care Clinic nationwide, once locations receive the flu vaccine and while supplies last. State age and health condition-related restrictions may also apply.
"Whether you have college kids going back to school or have friends, co-workers or family members you want to protect this flu season, the flu shot gift card is a thoughtful way to make it even easier for them to get a flu shot at Walgreens," stated Kermit Crawford, Walgreens’ executive vice president of pharmacy. "While millions of Americans are diligent about getting a flu shot every year, gift cards may also help those who might not otherwise take the initiative to get a flu shot. With these gift cards, you can help protect those closest to you."
Walgreens, which administered more than 7 million seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccinations last flu season, noted that it received an Immunization Excellence award from the National Influenza Vaccine Summit. The award honored the pharmacy chain for its role in last season’s inoculation effort. The summit is co-sponsored by the American Medical Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to the CDC, only one flu shot will be required this season for protection against both H1N1 and seasonal flu. Each year, flu vaccine is manufactured to protect against the three viruses or flu strains that research suggests will be most common. The 2010-2011 vaccine will protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus, an influenza A H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus. This year, the CDC is recommending a flu shot to everyone over the age of 6 months.
