Every Walgreens store is now offering customers a convenient way to be proactive in preventing illness this flu season with vaccines available on-site for $29.99 apiece.
“We are the front line when it comes to treating the symptoms of and providing medication for people who already have the flu,” said Clifford Haman, manager of Walgreens on South Broad Street. “We saw an opportunity to prevent an illness instead of just treat it.”
Walgreens pharmacist Linda Schock gives manager Clifford Haman his seasonal flu shot.All Walgreens pharmacists are now state-certified to administer the immunizations, an increase of 50 percent from the number certified last year, he said.
The average wait time for the shots is 15 to 20 minutes, and Haman said the process can be shortened further by filling out paperwork beforehand online at walgreens.com and by getting the shot now before the rush sets in.
Gift cards good only for flu shots are now available as well, which he said are perfect for employers to give to their employees to avoid time out of work. Employers with more than 100 employees can also host a day of on-site flu shots to encourage greater employee participation.
Shots include protection for seasonal viruses influenza B and H3N2 as well as H1N1, which Haman said is still going around and will continue to do so for the next two years.
“We went ahead and put it in one shot to save everyone time, money and needless pain,” he said.
For those who are allergic to the egg protein present in the vaccine, an inhaler-type mist is also available for $39.99.