Walgreens has agreed to donate $10 million in vouchers for free flu shots to 350,000 eligible uninsured and underserved people in 15 markets across the country.
The announcement was made Friday on a conference call with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Assistant Secretary for Health Howard Koh, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Dan Jernigan and Walgreens President of Pharmacy Services Kermit Crawford. It's part of a larger demonstration project being undertaken by the HHS and its partners to address continuing health disparities in flu vaccination rates.
“Thanks to the new healthcare law, many people can get their flu vaccination without paying a co-pay or deductible, but there are still more Americans who cannot afford to get vaccinated for the flu,” said Sebelius. “We are also troubled by recent data showing disparities among people when it comes to flu vaccination. This donation will help us remove barriers that have prevented some from getting vaccinated.”
Vouchers are good for one flu shot at any Walgreens, Duane Reade pharmacy or Take Care Clinic and will be available beginning early next week in:
- Atlanta;
- The Bronx, N.Y.;
- Chicago;
- Houston;
- Kansas City, Mo.;
- Newark, N.J.;
- Oakland, Calif.; and
- Philadelphia.
Vouchers will also soon be available through local health agencies in:
- Fort Lauderdale, Fla.;
- Miami-Dade County, Fla.;
- Palm Beach, Fla.;
- Seattle;
- Waco, Texas;
- Washington, D.C.;
- Northern New Hampshire; and
- Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, N.Y.
Vouchers will be available on a first come, first served basis through a variety of community outreach efforts.