Walgreens expands H1N1 flu shots to more than 100 Florida pharmacies

DEERFIELD, Ill. Accelerating its rollout of a large-scale immunization effort, Walgreens said Monday it has begun offering both H1N1 injectable and nasal vaccines at more than 100 pharmacies in Florida.

Those stores are located in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Sumter and Marion counties. Take Care Clinics at Walgreens stores in the Orlando area also are now offering H1N1 vaccinations to patients ages 2 years and older.

The move comes just days after the 7,147-store drug chain rolled its flu shot program into Louisiana, and it brings to 31 the number of states where Walgreens now offers immunizations for the virus. Walgreens said it would offer H1N1 vaccinations “in additional counties throughout central Florida in the coming weeks as supply becomes available.

“Walgreens and Take Care Health Systems are working closely with public health officials to serve as a state-wide distribution partner for the H1N1 vaccine and a community resource for information on H1N1 immunization,” announced company spokesman Jim Cohn.

While supplies last, the chain is offering vaccinations on a walk-in basis whenever an immunizing pharmacist is on-staff, for a fee of $18. Shots are also available during scheduled H1N1 clinics. Walgreens pharmacists in Florida can immunize those ages 18 years and older, and nurses attending select clinics at Walgreens stores can provide H1N1 immunizations to patients as young as two years old.

Local health departments throughout central Florida recently broadened recommendations on who should get an H1N1 vaccination to include everyone over the age of six months. With priority group restrictions eased, the chain is making the vaccine available to all residents who meet state age requirements in its participating Walgreens stores in Florida.

“We’re proud to partner with public health officials in central Florida to provide convenient, affordable access to H1N1 vaccinations,” said Marlin Hutchens, Walgreens Florida market VP.