Sept. 28, 2005 – The two largest pharmacy chains in the U.S. – Walgreens and CVS – are both offering flu shots in their stores with senior citizens a top priority through October 23. At CVS, flu shots begin October 1 and continue through November. Walgreens will offer shots from October 3 through November 18. Shots are free at both stores to those presenting their Medicare card with Medicare Part B coverage that has not been assigned to an HMO.

Vaccinations will also be available at many other locations across the nation, including employer-sponsored clinics, churches, senior citizen centers and clinics set up in other retail locations that have a pharmacy. For example, Maxim Health Systems will administer the flu shot to people over 9 years old at over 24,000 retail facilities and corporations across the nation using their own staff.

Walgreens will offer flu and pneumonia vaccinations, while CVS says it will also offer pneumonia shots at “most locations.” The cost of the flu vaccine is $25 and a pneumonia shot is $35 at Walgreen for those not covered by Medicare.

Walgreens says no appointment is necessary and details on when flu shots will be available at a specific store, please call 1-800-FLU-9950 or look for information at http://www.walgreens.com/ .

For dates, times and specific locations, of the CVS shot clinics, customers should call 1-800-SHOP-CVS and choose option #1, or visit http://www.CVS.com's Store Finder to locate a CVS/pharmacy flu clinic in their area. The cost of a flu shot at CVS/pharmacy will vary depending on the location of the clinic for non-Medicare consumers.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has assigned priority to the following high-risk groups through October 23: people over the age of 65, residents in long-term care facilities, people with chronic health conditions, women who are pregnant, health care personnel who provide direct patient care, and household and out-of-home caregivers of children under 6 months old.

Influenza vaccinations are especially important for adults who have chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular disease, including asthma, and adults who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the past year due to chronic metabolic diseases, kidney dysfunction, blood disorders or immune system problems.

Walgreens cautioned that children, people allergic to eggs or chicken, people who've received another vaccination in the past two weeks and people with active illness should contact a physician to be vaccinated.

"Because the flu virus is slightly different each year, flu shots are effective for only one season," said Don Huonker, Walgreens vice president of Pharmacy Services.

Those wishing to go to a Maxim location can use their Website to find a nearby location - at www.findaflushot.com and enter their zip code and the distance they want to travel. They can also call Maxim's automated locator system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll free at 1-866-466-2976 and enter their area code and the first digits of their telephone number. Information is available about the flu shots clinics in English or Spanish.

Seniors should also check with the pharmacy they use to see if shots will be available there.

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