Safeway Offers Flu Vaccines in U.S. Stores

Published on Thursday, 19 August 2010 12:03 Written by TradersHuddle Staff

PLEASANTON, Calif.-( Business Wire )-

Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY) today made it easier for individuals to protect themselves against this year’s strain of influenza by offering flu vaccines on a “walk-in” basis at Safeway pharmacies and through scheduled flu vaccine clinics at most other Safeway stores. Safeway is also providing an off-site flu clinic service for businesses, senior centers and nursing homes that choose to provide their employees or residents with the convenience of receiving a flu vaccine where they work or live.

“We have made the process of getting a flu vaccine affordable and convenient. Individuals have no reason to go unprotected this flu season nor should businesses risk lost productivity due to a sick workforce,” said Gary Rocheleau, Safeway Senior Vice President of Pharmacy.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated the flu vaccination recommendations. According to the CDC, all people aged 6 months and older should receive the flu vaccination each year. In addition, to avoid the risk of flu-related complications, the CDC stresses the importance of people with chronic health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, COPD, or immunosuppressive conditions, receive a flu vaccine this season.

Since flu viruses are always changing, flu vaccines are updated each year, making it important for individuals to be vaccinated on an annual basis. This year’s flu shot will protect against the H1N1 virus and two other influenza viruses. People that received the H1N1 flu vaccine during the last flu season will still need to get the seasonal flu vaccine this year.

In the coming weeks, all Safeway pharmacies will be administering a high-dose flu vaccine called Fluzone High-Dose which has been approved by the FDA for use in people 65 years of age and older. Adults above the age of 65 comprise 15 percent of the US population, but account for 65 percent of flu-related hospitalizations and 90 percent of flu-related deaths. Fluzone High Dose contains the same components as regular strength flu vaccine but provides a superior immune response in people 65 years of age and older.

Information about stores offering the flu vaccine can be found at www.safeway.com/flu or by contacting a Safeway pharmacy. Medicare Part B participants will receive the flu shots at no charge.

ABOUT SAFEWAY www.Safeway.com

Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,712 stores in the United States and western Canada and had annual sales of $40.8 billion in 2009. The company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.

Safeway Inc.Teena Massingill, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.