Vons and Pavilions stores announced that they are offering flu vaccines at all 309 locations in Southern California and Clark County Nevada. Now through February 2007, or while supplies last, flu vaccines will be administered at stores. Most stores will give vaccines on a walk-in basis at in-store pharmacies, while others will conduct scheduled flu shot clinics.
“The best way to prevent the flu is to get a vaccine each fall. By administering vaccines on site at our in-store pharmacies, Vons and Pavilions are making it easy for anyone to protect themselves,” said Dave Fong, Senior Vice President, Pharmacy. “Receiving a flu shot is as easy as stopping at the pharmacy during your regular shopping trip.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends flu vaccines for people who are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications and for those who live with or care for high-risk persons. According to the CDC, those who should receive annual flu vaccines are:
Children 6 months to 5 years old
Pregnant women
People 50 years old or older
People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, including heart disease, lung disease, asthma, kidney disease, diabetes, seizure disorder, anemia, and weakened immune system
Caretakers of children less than 6 months of age
Healthcare professionals who are in close contact with people at risk for the flu
Or anyone wanting to avoid catching the flu
The CDC also recommends those planning to receive a flu vaccine do so in October or November, the beginning of the flu season. However, vaccines can be received anytime during flu season. A list of stores offering flu vaccines and/ or conducting flu clinics can be found at www.vons.com/flu and www.pavilions.com/flu or by contacting a Vons and Pavilions pharmacy. Medicare Plan B participants not enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan will receive the flu vaccines at no charge.
Store pharmacies offer full-service adult and adolescent immunization services for the prevention of such ailments as shingles prevention, tetanus, hepatitis, pneumococcal and meningococcal. Locations for these immunization services can also be found at www.vons.com/flu and www.pavilions.com/flu.
About Vons, A Safeway Company
The Vons division operates 309 stores throughout Southern California and Clark County Nevada under the Vons and Pavilions banners.
Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 50 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. The Company operates 1,767 stores in the United States and Canada and had annual sales of $38.4 billion in 2005. The company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.
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