Chicago Mayor takes opportunity to promote flu shots at Walgreens flagship grand opening

CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday joined representatives from Walgreens to celebrate the grand opening of a new Walgreens flagship store in the Bucktown-Wicker Park neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon, taking the opportunity to remind Chicagoans about the importance of getting a flu shot this season.

“This new flagship Walgreens not only provides dozens of new jobs for Chicagoans, it serves as an anchor for these neighborhoods, and is opening just in time to add to the city’s flu prevention efforts this season,” Emanuel said. “It's important for people across the city to take steps that keep them healthy. The city has launched an interactive online tool to help Chicagoans find flu shot locations, and has crafted partnerships to provide additional opportunities for people to get flu shots right in their own neighborhoods."

This week, the Chicago Department of Public Health is teaming with Walgreens and community partners across Chicago to remind Chicagoans that "It's Not Too Late to Get a Flu Shot," and is launching the first Vaccinate Chicago Week, which runs through Dec. 8. 

“We’re proud to welcome Mayor Emanuel to this great new location to reinforce the need for prevention and protection from influenza,” commented Kermit Crawford, Walgreens president of pharmacy, health and wellness. “We continue to work together to develop new programs that bring our pharmacists and Take Care Clinic nurse practitioners into Chicago communities, providing greater access to flu shots and other immunizations. Initiatives like Vaccinate Chicago Week can go a long way toward keeping Chicago healthy throughout the cold and flu season.”