Ukrop’s Launches 2009-2010 Flu Immunization Program With ‘Regular’ Flu Shots Available Now In Its 20 Pharmacies
Virginians urged to get seasonal flu shots earlier this year in anticipation of a busy flu season; Vaccine will protect patients against seasonal flu for one year.
H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccines will be available at Ukrop’s when released this fall.
RICHMOND, Va. – Aug. 20, 2009 – Despite the current warm temperatures, Virginians may soon be feeling the chills associated with seasonal influenza if they do not receive a flu vaccine this fall, according to Ukrop’s pharmacists who began today offering flu shots in its 20 locations with pharmacies.
“We’ve begun offering seasonal flu shots earlier this year to address potential concerns about being able to offer multiple vaccines to people rapidly,” said John Beckner, director of pharmacy and health services at Ukrop’s. “People shouldn’t worry about getting their seasonal flu shot early as it will protect them for up to a year. You’ll need both a seasonal flu shot, which we can give now, and an H1N1 immunization(s), which we’ll be able to give later this fall when clinical trials are completed and the vaccine is approved by the FDA.”
Ukrop’s began offering walk-in flu shot vaccines today at its 20 locations with pharmacies in Richmond, Williamsburg and Fredericksburg. As it has done since 1998, Ukrop’s will hold 28 flu shot clinics covering pharmacy and non-pharmacy stores between Sept. 1 and Oct. 7 with extra pharmacists and technicians on hand to provide quick and convenient seasonal influenza vaccines. A detailed list is online at www.ukrops.com and on the Ukrop’s Flu Hotline at (804) 340-3015.
“We expect to administer 40,000 seasonal flu vaccines this season, up from about 34,000 last season,” said Beckner, who added it is still too early to determine how many H1N1 vaccines Ukrop’s expects to give. Since 1998, Ukrop’s has administered nearly 300,000 seasonal flu vaccinations as part of its annual immunization program, which has been nationally recognized by the American Pharmacists Association.
“The most important message that we’re sharing with our customers is that just getting the seasonal flu shot will not protect you from H1N1 and vice versa,” Beckner added. “Unfortunately, there have been some 20,000 cases of H1N1 in Virginia, according to state public health officials. The H1N1 virus is expected to linger into the fall and co-circulate with the seasonal influenza virus. We’re in daily contact with the Virginia Department of Health to ensure that we’re prepared to administer the H1N1 vaccine once it becomes available.”
Prioritization of H1N1 Vaccine Recipients
When the H1N1 vaccine is ready, public health officials have recommended that the H1N1 vaccine be prioritized to the following groups: pregnant women, healthcare workers and emergency medical responders, people caring for infants under 6 months of age, children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years, and people ages 25 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes). More details are available at www.flu.gov/vaccine/index.html.
Quick Facts on Seasonal Flu Immunizations
Who: Children ages 6 months to 18 years old, adults over age 50, those with certain chronic illnesses, and anyone who works or lives with a high-risk individual should be vaccinated. Ukrop’s follows the recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) by offering vaccines for children under 18 with a prescription. This age restriction may change once new protocols and guidelines are approved.
When: Ukrop’s officially began administering seasonal flu vaccinations today.
Where: Walk-in service for the 20 Ukrop’s stores in Richmond, Williamsburg and Fredericksburg with in-store pharmacies. Twenty-eight flu clinics will be held at 20 Ukrop’s stores between Sept. 1 and Oct. 7.
How: The out-of-pocket cost for a flu immunization depends on a customer’s health insurance plan. Shots are free for customers with Medicare Part B. For customers not using health insurance, the influenza shot costs only $25 with a Ukrop’s Valued Customer Card (a $14 savings). For those who don’t like needles, preservative-free FluMist® nasal vaccine is available for qualifying individuals (ages 2-49). Pneumonia vaccines also are available for $58 a shot.
Three Convenient Ways to Get a Seasonal Flu Vaccine at Ukrop’s
• Walk-ins – Most pharmacies don’t offer this option, but Ukrop’s does. Customers simply can visit a Ukrop’s pharmacy and request a flu shot.
• Flu clinics – This year, Ukrop’s is holding 28 flu clinics across its locations. During the clinics, Ukrop’s will have its specially trained pharmacy teams in place to accommodate larger groups of customers. Customers are encouraged to review the clinic schedule online at www.ukrops.com or call their local Ukrop’s for details.
• Employer groups – The Ukrop’s Pharmacy team will go onsite to employers and administer flu shots.
Why Get Immunized
“Getting the seasonal flu shot doesn’t guarantee that you will not get the flu, but it is your best defense,” Beckner added. “When you factor in the aches, nausea, medical bills, prescription costs, and time away from work or school, getting a flu shot really is a smart decision for a little peace of mind.”
About Seasonal Influenza
• Common flu symptoms include coughing, sneezing, fatigue, muscle aches, fever, and headaches. Influenza spreads mostly through coughing and sneezing, but also by touching something with the virus on it and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• The single best way to prevent catching and spreading seasonal flu is to get vaccinated. The CDC advises that the following high-risk individuals get vaccinated:
• Pregnant women and children ages 6 months to 18 years
• People age 50 and up
• People at any age with certain chronic medical conditions
• People with a weakened immune system
• People living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
• People living with or working with any of the groups mentioned above or with infants less than 6 months of age (i.e., healthcare workers, day care providers, parents, and caregivers)
• Any person who wishes to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza or transmitting influenza to others
• All healthcare personnel
Prevention Tips
Spread of H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. In addition to receiving the seasonal flu vaccine, taking these steps can help prevent the flu:
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds.
• Cough or sneeze into your arm or sleeve, not your hands.
• Stay home from work if you think you have the flu, and keep your kids out of school if you think they might have it.
• Keep tissues and sanitizing gel or wipes handy – for your hands and for surfaces.
• If you are sick with a flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home until at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
About Ukrop’s
Ukrop's Super Markets, Inc., founded and headquartered in Richmond, Va., with more than 5,500 associates, operates 27 retail food stores, Joe's Market (a regional specialty market), a central bakery and kitchen, and a distribution center. Since 1937, the privately held business remains dedicated to its version of the Golden Rule: "treating customers, associates, and suppliers as they personally want to be treated.” Each year, Ukrop's gives a minimum of 10 percent of its pre-tax profits back to the community. Ukrop's was a pioneer in both loyalty marketing and meal solutions when it launched its Valued Customer® program in 1987 and its chilled prepared foods in 1989. In 1997, Ukrop's established a unique partnership to place banks in its retail locations. Today, it co-owns, with Markel Corporation, 25 First Market Bank branches in Ukrop's locations and 14 free-standing branches. In June 2008, Ukrop's launched another innovative loyalty program called fuelperks! that rewards Fredericksburg and Richmond-area customers by providing significant discounts on fuel based on Ukrop's grocery purchases. To date, Ukrop's fuelperks! rewards exceed $9.09 million dollars. www.ukrops.com
Contacts:
Susan Rowe
Ukrop's Super Markets, Inc.
804-340-3104 • Susan.Rowe@ukrops.com
Jonathan Rhudy
For Ukrop's Super Markets, Inc.
804-897-0763 • jonathan@rhudy.biz