Duane Reade gears up for H1N1 immunization program

Manhattan-based pharmacy retailer Duane Reade announced on Thursday plans for its H1N1 immunization program.

H1N1 immunization vaccines will be offered at select Duane Reade pharmacies in the near term, pending the release of the H1N1 vaccine by the New York City Dept. of Health. Customers also may sign up to receive mobile alerts that will inform them of specific Duane Reade store locations where the vaccine will be available, the retailer stated.

"We are very pleased that we will be able to provide this important public service to New Yorkers," said Frank Scorpiniti, SVP pharmacy operations. "Duane Reade has long been a health-and-wellness destination for New Yorkers and we are confident that the recent improvements we have made to our operations better equip us to meet our customers’ needs as they face a variety of health concerns, including the H1N1 virus. Moreover, we have developed a strong working relationship with New York City’s health officials who recognize Duane Reade as a leading provider of health and wellness services for New Yorkers. This will allow us to procure and administer a sizeable number of vaccines and benefit the community at large."

The cost to receive the H1N1 vaccine is $20. Customers who are New York Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries can receive influenza immunizations at Duane Reade as a covered benefit.

In addition, Duane Reade’s pharmacies are fully stocked with Tamiflu and Relenza. In collaboration with New York City health officials, Duane Reade will offer Tamiflu and Relenza at lower costs to those customers who are uninsured and underinsured.

In December 2008, New York became one of the most recent states to enact laws and regulations permitting pharmacists to administer vaccines. In an effort to adapt quickly and to prepare its organization for the H1N1 immunization program, Duane Reade collaborated with the American Pharmacists Association to certify a large number of its pharmacists to administer the H1N1 vaccine. 

For the most up-to-date information and exact store locations where New Yorkers can receive the H1N1 vaccination, visit Duane Reade’s Web site at www.duanereade.com/FluShots.aspx or call the customer service hotline at?1-866-DR-LOYAL (1-866-375-6925). Interested parties can text "flu" to 63103? and follow the instructions when prompted.