Content about vaccinations

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is selling whooping cough vaccines to parents in California at a reduced price, the retailer said Thursday.

As of July 1, a new state law will require proof of vaccination for all students entering grades 7 through 12, and nearly all of the retail pharmacy chain’s 600 stores in California will be able to vaccinate walk-in patients or by appointment. The reduced-price vaccine will sell for $57.99.



As the costs of primary care march steadily higher and patients endure ever-longer wait times to see a family physician, the need for accessible, cost-effective patient care alternatives has become both obvious and urgent. 


Enter Walgreens. Armed with new, time-saving 
pharmacy automation tools, a growing offsite-dispensing capability and an array of new adherence and disease-management services, the company heavily is promoting its pharmacists and in-store clinicians as the most cost-effective front-line resource for community-based patient care.


CAMP HILL, Pa. — Responding to reports of a shingles vaccine shortage, Rite Aid is assuring customers that nearly 1,900 of its pharmacies have an ample supply.

Rite Aid noted that it can provide vaccinations against the nerve disease in 27-of-the-31 states where its stores are located, and in most of the states where Rite Aid operates, pharmacists can administer the vaccine to walk-in patients ages 60 years and older.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT — In 2011, refusing to inoculate children against dangerous illnesses like measles, whooping cough and even the flu, borders on child abuse. This story should go a long way toward keeping a lot of kids healthy by educating their misguided parents—good news for retail pharmacy, which continues to expand its presence as the local community destination for common vaccinations.

DEERFIELD, Ill. Underscoring its determination to be the nation’s premier source of flu immunization services, Walgreens on Thursday revealed it is working with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases to educate the public and health professionals about flu prevention resources. In addition, Walgreens has joined with Families Fighting Flu, a nonprofit organization of families and healthcare practitioners, to heighten flu awareness and encourage vaccinations for children and families.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT Seven million vaccinations is a lot of flu shots. And if you’ll pardon the pun, it was more than enough to put Walgreens at the sticking point of the nation’s inoculation campaign against the H1N1 virus.

(THE NEWS: Walgreens tapped for national award for its flu vaccination efforts. For the full story, click here)