Longs Drugs Announces Immunization Program for the 2007/2008 Flu Season
WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Longs Drugs announced its flu immunization program at more than 400 stores in three Western states to help residents of those communities remain healthy and combat the annual flu season. Longs is offering several convenient options this flu season to better meet its customers’ needs.
— Longs Drugs will be hosting clinics, provided by Maxim Health Systems, beginning in October through the middle of November. The clinics will administer flu vaccines to adults 18 year of age and older as well as children with parental consent between the ages of 9 and 18 years of age. Children not meeting these requirements should see to their physicians for flu vaccines. — Select Longs Drugs pharmacies are also prepared to provide vaccinations to adults over the age of 18 by appointment. — FluMist, a nasal mist flu vaccine, will also be available to eligible patients at select Longs Drugs by appointment, beginning in early October through the end of January, while supplies last.
To learn more about the availability of vaccinations on an individual basis or a clinic at the Longs Drugs nearest you, go to http://www.longs.com/ or call 1-800-TO-LONGS. The dates and times of the flu shot clinics may change depending upon the availability of the flu vaccine. The web-site and call center will have the most up to date information about the clinics as well as the Longs Drugs locations offering FluMist and individual flu vaccinations throughout the flu season.
According to the Centers for Disease control (CDC), the single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each fall. In general, anyone who wants to reduce his or her chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, the CDC recommends that certain people get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for others at high risk for serious complications.
High risk includes: — People who are 50 years and older, regardless of their health conditions — People who reside in long-term care facilities — People ranging in age from 2 to 64 years with chronic health conditions — Children who are 6 months to 4 years of age — Women who are pregnant — People who provide health care and direct patient care — Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than 5 years of age or caregivers of adults 50 years of age and older.
Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then toughing their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming ill. This means that people can be contagious before even realizing they have the flu.
About the Company
Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, Longs Drug Stores Corporation is one of the most recognized retail drug store chains on the West Coast and in Hawaii. The Company operates approximately 500 retail pharmacies and offers a wide assortment of merchandise focusing on health, wellness, beauty and convenience. Longs also provides pharmacy benefit management services and Medicare beneficiary prescription drug plans through its wholly- owned subsidiary, RxAmerica, LLC. Additional information about Longs and its services is available at http://www.longs.com/ and more information about RxAmerica is available at http://www.rxamerica.com/.
Longs Drug Stores Corporation
CONTACT: Phyllis Proffer, +1-925-979-3979, for Longs Drug StoresCorporation
Web site: http://www.longs.com/http://www.rxamerica.com/