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Select Rite Aid Pharmacy's Offering Flu & Pneumonia Immunization Clinics

Posted on: Wednesday, 19 October 2005, 09:00 CDT

Select Rite Aid pharmacies (NYSE, PCX:RAD) are offering flu and pneumonia immunization clinics now through the end of November. A list of participating locations and the date and time of each clinic is available on the Rite Aid website, www.RITEAID.com, or by calling 1-800-RITEAID.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in an average year, the flu causes 36,000 deaths (mostly among those aged 65 years or older) and 200,000 hospitalizations in the United States. The CDC advises that the single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each fall.

Flu and pneumonia immunizations at Rite Aid pharmacies are free of charge to patients with Medicare Part B health coverage and flu immunizations are $25 and pneumonia immunizations are $35 for all other patients. Now until October 24th shots will be given to high-risk patients only as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. High risk patients include patients who are over 65, have a long-term health problem, or a compromised immune system, or work in a healthcare environment. Both shots are available for everyone after October 24th on a first-come-first-serve basis and no appointments are necessary. All shots will be administered by licensed healthcare professionals.

"The CDC has said that up to 20% of the nation's population could get the flu this year and be ill for one to two weeks. Rite Aid is committed to taking an active role in the health care needs of our patients and by offering flu and pneumonia immunizations we hope to help decrease the number of illnesses this season," said Phil Keough, senior vice president, pharmacy operations for Rite Aid.

Flu season typically begins in the United States in mid-October and continues through mid-May, with the highest concentration of cases occurring between December and April. Flu symptoms include headache, chills, body aches, fever, fatigue, sore throat and dry cough.

According to the CDC, everyone is at risk of getting the flu but some are at increased risk for serious complications from the flu. These groups include:

-- All individuals 50 and older

-- Individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart, kidney or lung disease, such as asthma

-- Individuals whose immune response may be suppressed because of cancer treatment or AIDS

-- Women more than three months pregnant during the influenza season

-- Residents of chronic care facilities

-- People in close or frequent contact with high-risk groups, i.e. caregivers and healthcare workers.

Rite Aid Corporation is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with annual revenues of $16.8 billion and approximately 3,350 stores in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com.

Source: Business Wire

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