Rite Aid Offers Seasonal Flu And Pneumonia Shots at More Than 3000 Facilities

From what is in the news today it appears that the drug stores are going to be the place to get your flu shot. In addition Rite Aid is also offering a Pneumonia shot and the press release states you get some free coupons with your shot. I have my own feelings on coupons and actually they drive my crazy and I’m not happy with all the tracking that retail does with them today, but you don’t have to use them.

Other drug chains have also recently announced their supplies of flu shots will be plentiful this year and actually this somewhat takes a load off some of the doctors who may have issues stocking the inoculations and leaves the free to focus on other patient health issues.

Surescripts Connects With Microsoft HealthVault Personal Health Records

White you are there, it might be a good time to think about maybe starting that personal health record too as Rite Aid connects with Sure Scripts and your medications can be populated into HealthVault too. Why not kill 2 birds with one stone while you are there. BD

Press Release:

Camp Hill, PA (August 19, 2010) – Seasonal flu shots are now available at more than 3,000 Rite Aid pharmacies across the country. The flu shots will be administered by more than 7,000 Rite Aid certified immunizing pharmacists. Flu shots are available for $24.99 and many insurance plans cover the cost of the shots. Most customers with Medicare will have no co-pay.

Customers can find the closest Rite Aid offering flu shots by visiting www.riteaid.com/flu or by calling

1-866-751-1494. Rite Aid pharmacists are available to counsel customers and answer questions about this year’s single dose seasonal flu vaccine, which protects against three influenza viruses, including the 2009 H1N1 virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get the seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it’s available.

Anyone who gets a flu shot at Rite Aid will receive a free coupon booklet that offers over $100 in savings, while supplies last. The booklet includes savings on health and wellness, beauty and household items and other products available at Rite Aid.

Rite Aid also will host flu clinics at more than 800 additional Rite Aid stores in October and November. Details on the clinics are also available on the company’s website.

In addition to regular seasonal flu shots, pneumococcal shots for pneumonia also are being offered by Rite Aid pharmacists and at Rite Aid flu clinics and can be administered at the same time as the seasonal flu shot. Pneumococcal shots are $50 and like flu shots, many insurance plans cover the cost of the shots and most customers with Medicare will have no co-pay.

Rite Aid's immunizing pharmacists are specially trained to administer vaccinations and are available to answer questions about vaccinations. Patients can receive flu and pneumococcal shots from any Rite Aid immunizing pharmacist, subject to state regulations. To find an immunizing pharmacist or to learn more about Rite Aid’s year-round immunization program including vaccinations for diseases including pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis A and B, shingles and others, visit www.riteaid.com.

Flu season in the United States can begin as early as October and can continue through mid-May, with the highest concentration of cases occurring between December and April. The CDC advises that the single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot as soon as it is available. Flu symptoms include headache, body aches, fever, fatigue, sore throat and dry cough. Additional information about the upcoming flu season can be found at www.cdc.gov.

Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with nearly 4,800 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia with fiscal 2010 annual revenues of $25.7 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through Rite Aid’s website at www.riteaid.com.