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Flu News for Senior Citizens
CVS, MinuteClinic Begin Flu Shots October 1 with
Goal of One Million Vaccinations
Will offer flu shots every day without an
appointment; sponsor 7,500 flu clinics
Sept. 10, 2008 – The annual push to push senior
citizens into getting flu shots got off to an aggressive start today
with an announcement by CVS/pharmacy and Minute Clinic of a commitment
to prevent flu by delivering one million flu vaccinations. The program
begins October 1.
Flu shots will be available without an appointment
at more than 500 MinuteClinic locations and during 7,500 flu shot clinic
events in select CVS/pharmacy stores nationwide. Flu shots at
CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations are $30 and are often covered by
insurance. Medicare covers them for senior citizens.
Both companies are divisions of CVS Caremark (NYSE:CVS),
the largest provider of prescriptions in the country. CVS/pharmacy says
it is the nation's leading retail pharmacy and MinuteClinic is the
largest retail health care clinic in the U.S.
"With a nationwide network of stores and more than
500 MinuteClinic locations, CVS/pharmacy has broader reach than any
other pharmacy retailer to help keep families healthy during flu
season," said Papatya Tankut, R.Ph., Vice President of Pharmacy
Professional Services at CVS/pharmacy.
"We plan to vaccinate up to one million Americans
this year, thanks to our ability to deliver flu shots on demand at
MinuteClinic seven days a week, and during more than 7,500 flu shot
clinics in our pharmacies."
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Flu shots will be available at many
facilities this year. Many may not be listed until late
September but use this locator to find one near you. |
"The Centers for Disease Control recommends a
yearly flu vaccination, especially for people ages 50 and older, those
with chronic disease such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease, along
with women who are pregnant and health care providers," said Donna
Haugland, Chief Nursing Officer for MinuteClinic.
This year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices has endorsed influenza vaccination for all children ages 6
months to 18 years. MinuteClinic will offer vaccinations to children
over 18 months.
In addition to children, individuals with chronic
disease are among the most vulnerable to the flu and should be
vaccinated annually. A recent study by CVS Caremark found that influenza
vaccines helped reduce the risk of hospitalization in patients with
chronic conditions.
Now it's easier than ever to get a flu shot, either
at a CVS/pharmacy or a local MinuteClinic, with convenient hours
including evenings and weekends. MinuteClinic health care centers are
staffed by masters-prepared, board-certified nurse practitioners who
specialize in family health care. Flu shots will be offered at all
MinuteClinic locations with no appointment necessary.
To find the nearest location of a MinuteClinic or
CVS/pharmacy flu shot clinic, or to determine the minimum age for flu
shots at CVS/pharmacy store events, consumers can call 1-888-FLU-SHOT or
go to www.cvs.com where a list of flu shot clinics will be available
starting September 15th. Flu shots at CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic
locations are $30 and may be covered by insurance.
About CVS Caremark
CVS Caremark is the largest provider of
prescriptions in the nation. The Company fills or manages more than 1
billion prescriptions annually. Through its unmatched breadth of service
offerings, CVS Caremark is transforming the delivery of health care
services in the U.S. The Company is uniquely positioned to effectively
manage costs and improve health care outcomes through its more than
6,300 CVS/pharmacy stores; its Caremark Pharmacy Services division
(pharmacy benefit management, mail order and specialty pharmacy); its
retail-based health clinic subsidiary, MinuteClinic; and its online
pharmacy,
CVS.com. General information about CVS Caremark is available through
the Investor Relations section of the Company's Web site, at
cvscaremark.com/investors, as well as through the press room section of
the Company's Web site, at
cvscaremark.com/newsroom.
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