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Rite Aid Pharmacies to Offer Flu Vaccinations October 16-18 At Nearly 1,700 Locations


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Nearly 1,700 Rite Aid (NYSE:RAD) pharmacies will offer a one-day flu clinic on October 16, 17 or 18 to help patients stay healthy this season. Patients can receive a flu shot as well as a coupon book for items throughout the store valued at more than $230. Flu shots are free of charge for patients with Medicare Part B health coverage and $30 for all other patients. 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 1-877-777-3915.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in an average year 5% to 20% of the US population gets the flu and, the virus causes 36,000 deaths (mostly among those aged 65 years or older) and 200,000 hospitalizations. The CDC advises that the single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot each fall.

“Rite Aid is committed to offering our patients programs and services that promote health and wellness all year,” said Phil Keough, senior vice president, pharmacy operations for Rite Aid. “Our goal is to help keep our communities healthy this coming flu season, which is why we are offering incentives to get a flu shot as well as the shot itself.”

Flu shots will be given at participating Rite Aid pharmacies from 2pm - 6pm on Tuesday, October 16, Wednesday, October 17 or Thursday, October 18. No appointment is necessary and shots will be given while supplies last on a first-come, first-serve basis. Rite Aid is partnering with TheraFlu® to offer the flu clinics and all vaccinations will be administered by licensed healthcare professionals.

Nearly 800 Rite Aid pharmacists throughout the country are also specially trained to offer flu vaccinations throughout the year for adults 18 years and older. For additional information on pharmacies that offer year-round immunizations, including those for nine additional diseases like hepatitis A and B, pneumonia and tetanus, visit http://www.riteaid.com/.

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.

Pregnant women, children under nine and those who have egg allergies or have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cannot get vaccinated for influenza at this event, and should visit their physician for further information on how they can help protect themselves this flu season.



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