With epidemic levels of whooping cough reported in the state of Kansas
and creating the need for more immunizations resources, Walgreens (NYSE,
NASDAQ: WAG) is offering immunizations that provide protection against
the highly-contagious respiratory infection
(tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis-Tdap vaccine) at all of its 67 locations
in Kansas and 195 drugstores in Missouri. Immunizations are available
everyday with no appointment necessary at pharmacies and Take Care
Health clinics.
As of June 11, 56 confirmed cases have been reported to the Kansas
Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). In 2011, just 52 confirmed
cases were reported for the entire year. During 2011 and 2012, KDHE and
local health departments have investigated eight outbreaks, including
the ongoing outbreak in Johnson County.
Walgreens pharmacists in Kansas can administer the vaccine to protect
against whooping cough to patients age 18 and older. Pharmacies in
Missouri can administer the vaccine to patients age 7 and older. Nurse
practitioners at Take Care Health clinics may administer the vaccine to
patients 10 years and older.
“We share in the recommendations of health officials that one of the
best things people can do to help keep themselves and their community
healthy is to get vaccinated,” said Frank Koen, Walgreens market
pharmacy director. “As some of the most trusted health care
professionals in communities across our state, this is an excellent
opportunity for our pharmacists to help educate residents about the
importance of vaccinations and how we can all work together to help slow
the spread of disease to some of the most vulnerable–our children. It is
extremely important for those who care for or are in contact with
children also be immunized to help prevent the spread of disease.”
For the latest pertussis immunization recommendations for children and
adults, as well as vaccine information, visit the Kansas Department of
Health and Environment website at http://www.kdheks.gov/.
About Walgreens
As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2011 sales of $72
billion, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com)
vision is to become America’s first choice for health and daily living.
Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most
convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and
trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and
advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy
services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail
service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health
outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care
organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public
sector. The company operates 7,889 drugstores in all 50 states, the
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Take Care Health Systems is a
Walgreens subsidiary that is 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.
