Walgreens to Offer H1N1 Vaccine in Salt Lake City Area, Partnering with Local Government in County-Wide Inoculation Effort Nation's largest community pharmacy chain to administer vaccinations at 18 pharmacy locations in Salt Lake County beginning Nov. 5

DEERFIELD, Ill., Nov 03, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG), the nation's largest drugstore chain and industry leader with more than 17,000 certified or licensed immunizers, will begin offering H1N1 injectable vaccines at 18 pharmacies throughout Salt Lake County Thursday. Walgreens is working closely with public health officials and the Salt Lake Valley Health Department to serve as a distribution partner for the H1N1 vaccine, and to also serve as a community resource for information on H1N1 immunization.

Walgreens has received H1N1 supply and will offer vaccinations at the following locations beginning Thursday, Nov. 5: -- 909 E. 2100 S. -- Salt Lake City -- 3291 S. Highland Dr. -- Salt Lake City -- 531 E. 400 S. -- Salt Lake City -- 7794 Redwood Rd. -- West Jordan -- 3863 W. 9000 S. -- West Jordan -- 10429 S. Redwood Rd. -- South Jordan -- 5630 W. 4100 S. -- West Valley -- 4040 W. 5415 S. -- Taylorsville -- 4668 S. Redwood Rd. -- Taylorsville -- 9426 S. 700 E. -- Sandy -- 9400 S. 2090 E. -- Sandy -- 2330 Fort Union Blvd. -- Cottonwood Heights -- 5627 W. 13400 S. -- Herriman -- 176 E. 13800 S. -- Draper -- 1311 Draper Pkwy. -- Draper -- 12623 S. Redwood Rd. -- Riverton -- 7212 S. State St. -- Midvale -- 4690 S. Holladay Blvd. -- Holladay Walgreens may also offer H1N1 vaccinations at other Salt Lake City area stores as additional supply becomes available.

Vaccinations are available to Salt Lake County residents who fall within the priority groups as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

These priority groups are: -- Pregnant women -- Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age -- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel -- People six months to 24 years of age -- Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza Vaccinations will be offered to priority groups between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. Walgreens pharmacists in Utah are able to provide immunizations to those age 13 and older. To find the nearest Walgreens offering H1N1 vaccine, consumers are asked to call 1-800-Walgreens or visit www.walgreens.com/flu.

The cost for the administration of the H1N1 injectable vaccine is $18.

Vaccinations may be covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Consumers are encouraged to check with their insurance provider for coverage details.

Having administered its supply of five million seasonal flu shots -- more than four times the amount Walgreens administered last flu season -- Walgreens immunizing pharmacists will be dedicated to H1N1 vaccinations and to assisting public health departments in the nationwide inoculation effort.

"This flu season, Walgreens has truly demonstrated its role as a go-to, trusted resource for flu prevention and health care services in Utah and nationwide," said Walgreens Utah Market Vice President Rob Hasty. "We're here to help. And we're proud to partner with the Salt Lake Valley Health Department by providing convenient, affordable access to H1N1 vaccinations, furthering our commitment to helping individuals and their families stay well this flu season." With more than 17,000 certified or licensed immunizers, including pharmacists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, Walgreens offers the most comprehensive retail flu prevention network in the U.S., serving more than 7,000 Walgreens pharmacies and more than 350 Take Care Clinics.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children under 10 years of age will require two shots for protection against H1N1 flu, while all others will need only one. Currently, about 90 percent of the circulating flu in the U.S. is H1N1, according to recent CDC reports.

About Walgreens Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2009 sales of $63 billion. The company operates 7,105 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Walgreens provides the most convenient access to consumer goods and services and cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services in America through its retail drugstores, Walgreens Health Services division and Walgreens Health and Wellness division. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc., Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC and SeniorMed LLC (a pharmacy provider to long-term care facilities). Walgreens Health and Wellness Division includes Take Care Health Systems, the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

SOURCE: Walgreens CONTACT: Walgreens Jim Cohn Office: 847-914-2950 Mobile: [phone] [e-mail] Copyright Business Wire 2009 -0- KEYWORD: United States

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Illinois INDUSTRY KEYWORD: Other Consumer

Health

Infectious Diseases

Pharmaceutical

Consumer

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