• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Take Care Health Systems to Offer Flu Vaccinations Nationwide

Posted on: Wednesday, 24 September 2008, 12:00 CDT

Flu vaccinations will be available to consumers at all 237 Take Care Clinics nationwide beginning October 1, Take Care Health Systems announced today. The company, a leading manager of convenient care clinics and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walgreens, will offer the flu shots to patients two years and older. The shots cost $24.99 each at most clinics and are often covered by insurance.

Take Care Health Systems is offering the vaccine to further the health and wellness of the communities where clinics are located, providing all patients increased access to high-quality, affordable and convenient health care. The flu shots are available seven days a week, with no appointment necessary.

Every year in the United States, on average more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with influenza, 20,000 of those hospitalized are children younger than five years old, and 36,000 people die from the flu according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the flu and help keep people healthy during flu season," said Sandra Festa Ryan, Chief Nurse Practitioner Officer at Take Care Health Systems. "It is extremely important that children and adults get vaccinated to receive protection against this common but dangerous public health threat. This vaccination could be a lifesaver."

The CDC recommends getting a flu vaccination starting in October. Flu activity in the United States generally peaks between December and March, and two weeks are required after vaccination for the body to be fully prepared to protect against influenza. Experts strongly recommend patients 50 and older, as well as children and adults with chronic heart and lung conditions get vaccinated every year. For more information, please visit TakeCareHealth.com.

"Take Care Clinics are an ideal setting to receive this first line of defense against the flu," said Ryan. "With no appointment necessary, clinics provide a high-quality, convenient and accessible option for patients who need to get vaccinated."

Flu vaccines will cost $24.99 at most Take Care Clinics. The option of FluMist(R) non-needle vaccination is also available at the sites for $29.99. In an effort to continue its commitment to vaccine leadership for school-aged children and adults, Take Care Clinics also offers other vaccinations including, Varicella (Chickenpox), Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), Hepatitis A, Pneumococcal (PPV), Human Pappilomavirus (HPV), Hepatitis B, Menactra (Meningitis), Shingles, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (TDAP) and Tetanus Booster (Td).

Take Care Clinics are staffed by board certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants who treat patients 18 months and older for common illnesses such as strep throat, ear and sinus infections, pink eye and poison ivy, and are able to write prescriptions when necessary.

Take Care Health Systems has partnered with many national insurance plans to cover services offered at the clinic, including Aetna, CIGNA, Coventry, GreatWest, Humana, Multiplan/PHCS, UnitedHealthcare and WellPoint, as well as many regional and local plans, Medicare and Medicaid. Patients should check with their individual plan to confirm vaccination coverage.

Take Care Health Systems is part of Walgreens Health and Wellness division which includes Take Care Consumer Solutions, managers of convenient care clinics located at select Walgreens drugstores nationwide, and Take Care Employer Solutions, managers of worksite-based health and wellness services. Including Take Care Clinics, the Walgreens Health and Wellness division manages 593 worksite health and wellness centers and retail health clinics.

Take Care Health Systems currently manages 237 clinics in 29 markets and 15 states, including locations in: Atlanta, Boulder-Longmont, Colo., Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Ohio, Denver, Green Bay, Wis., Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Louisville, Madison, Wis., Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, Tenn., Orlando, Fla., Oshkosh, Wis., Peoria, Ill., Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Rockford, Ill., St. Louis, Tampa, Fla., Topeka, Kan., Tucson, Ariz., West Palm Beach, Fla. and Wichita, Kan.

About Take Care Health Systems(SM)

Take Care Health Systems (www.takecarehealth.com), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walgreens, is part of Walgreens Health and Wellness division, which includes Take Care Consumer Solutions, managers of convenient care clinics located at select Walgreens drugstores nationwide, and Take Care Employer Solutions, managers of worksite-based health and wellness services. The company combines best practices in health care and the expertise and personal care of providers to deliver access to high-quality, affordable and convenient health care to all individuals. The Take Care Consumer Solutions group currently manages 237 Take Care Clinics in 29 and 15 states. Patient care at each of the Take Care Clinics is provided by Take Care Health Services, an independently owned state professional corporation established in each market. Take Care Employer Solutions manages primary care, health and wellness and occupational health centers at 364 employer campuses across 183 clients in 44 states, including the District of Columbia and Guam.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2008 sales of $59 billion. The company operates 6,443 drugstores in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Walgreens provides the most convenient access to consumer goods and cost-effective health care services in America through its retail drugstores, Walgreens Health Services division and Walgreens Health and Wellness division. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc., Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC and SeniorMed LLC (a pharmacy provider to long-term care facilities). Walgreens Health and Wellness division includes Take Care Health Systems, which is comprised of: Take Care Consumer Solutions, managers of 237 convenient care clinics at Walgreens drugstores, and Take Care Employer Solutions, managers of worksite-based health and wellness services at 364 employer campuses.

Source: Business Wire

More News in this Category