Vaccinations

Walgreens immunization services provide a safe, easy path for your members and employees to get vaccinated. Our years of immunization experience, caring pharmacist expertise including 60,000+ trained immunizers, convenient care models and innovative technology highlight our dedication to delivering high-quality care and a connected experience throughout the patient vaccination journey.

Routine vaccinations are even more important in a COVID-19 environment to help protect at-risk populations and reduce the overall burden of respiratory illnesses on the healthcare system. Walgreens offers immunization solutions that bring COVID-19, flu shots and other important vaccines on site to your workplace, and a voucher program that allows participants to get vaccinations in store at their convenience without paying out of pocket. And with convenient night and weekend hours, in-store appointments and walk-in access, we offer more options for finding an immunization plan that's right for them.

Discover how we're leading the way in preventive care through vaccinations by downloading Shots in arms: Leading the way to successful vaccination efforts.

Your challenges

People avoiding vaccination

Only 50% of adults were vaccinated for the flu during the 2020-2021 season.¹ Why?

1. They are misinformed. 2. They think they're too busy for a doctor's appointment. 3. They don't realize a flu shot is recommended.

Healthcare costs for influenza-related hospitalizations range from $5,500 to $12,800 per patient,² and workplace lost productivity related to influenza costs employers nearly $15 billion annually³.

How we can help

Vaccines reduce risk

About 60% fewer workdays lost, and 68% less presenteeism⁴
Up to 60% lower flu risk^5,6
12.4% flu-related hospitalizations prevented⁷
5.29 million flu-related illnesses prevented⁷
2.64 million flu-related medical visits prevented ⁷

Flexible administration model

On-site clinics
In-store appointments
Walk-in access

Billing options

Bill employee insurance (commercial, Medicare and Medicaid)
Direct-bill

Convenient hours, no appointments needed

31.5% flu vaccinations given during off-hours⁸

Highly trained medical professionals with years of experience

Coordination with primary care providers and state registries
Every pharmacist in every store is licensed to vaccinate

Walgreens offers vaccinations for:

Adults

COVID-19 (coronavirus)
Influenza (flu)
Pneumococcal (pneumonia)
Zoster (shingles)
Tetanus/diphtheria (Td)
Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap)

Adolescents

COVID-19⁹
Influenza (flu)
Meningococcal (meningitis)
Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap)
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR)
Varicella (chickenpox)

Travel

Polio
Japanese encephalitis
Rabies
Yellow fever
Typhoid fever (available at select Walgreens locations)
Hepatitis A and B
Hepatitis A/B combo
Cholera

Cost savings

Of those adults vaccinated, almost 50% still receive the shot in a costly medical location.¹⁰ By helping make vaccinations easier and more affordable for members, you can help improve their overall health and help reduce your overall costs. According to a Walgreens cost-benefit model, there is substantial cost savings associated with being vaccinated at a pharmacy as compared to being vaccinated at a primary care provider's office.¹¹

Chart showing 62% savings when getting one flu shot at Walgreens vs. getting one flu shot and visit at primary care provider

Digital approach

Smart Recommendations promote personalized care based on member history and CDC advice
Easy-to-use mobile app with vaccination reminders and recommendations
The Walgreens Flu Index, which provides state and market-specific information regarding flu activity

Visit the Walgreens Flu Index ›

Testing

Get back to business with Walgreens Test & Protect™

Walgreens Test & Protect™ gives you access to COVID-19 testing for your team, so you'll be able to act with confidence. Our scheduling support and result monitoring provide the insights you need to get back to business.

In a world where nothing feels simple, going to your neighborhood Walgreens still is.

Participants can schedule an appointment in the comfort of their own home. Our pharmacists are always available to give your team the support it needs during this turbulent time. 78% of the U.S. population lives within five miles of a Walgreens.¹² As the world and your testing needs continue to change, Walgreens is your partner, providing the flexible support you need to resume normal operations. Talk to your account manager about how Walgreens Test & Protect^™ can build a tailored solution to meet your needs.

Digital approach

National Surveillance of COVID-19, the combination of diagnostic testing, genome sequencing, and patient information produces invaluable epidemiologic insights for tracking COVID-19 and emerging variants
Interactive maps and graphs tracking COVID-19, including Omicron, and other emerging variants are updated daily

Visit the Walgreens COVID-19 Index ›

Research

National Surveillance of COVID-19 Infections: Variants, Vaccination Status, and Viral Spread

The combination of diagnostic testing, genome sequencing, and patient information produces invaluable epidemiologic insights for tracking COVID-19 and emerging variants.

Influenza Vaccination Uptake among Diabetes Patients in Community Pharmacies

Community pharmacies provide additional access and convenience as well as immunization counseling in order to maximize essential care for diabetes patients. The study found that 86.2% of patients immunized in the study were vaccinated before peak flu season.

Estimating the effect of a national pharmacy-led influenza vaccination voucher program on morbidity, mortality, and costs

This research demonstrates that free flu vaccinations for uninsured individuals has the potential to reduce flu-related morbidity, mortality, and costs.

Vaccinations Administered During Off-Clinic Hours at a National Community Pharmacy: Implications for Increasing Patient Access and Convenience

With the low vaccination rates in the United States, community pharmacies are creating new opportunities for vaccination that expand access and convenience.

References

Your Challenges

1. Flu vaccination coverage, United States, 2020-21 influenza season. CDC Web site. Last reviewed October 7, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/coverage-2021estimates.htm

2. Flu Season Costs Employers an Average of Nearly $15B Annually. Challenger, Gray & Christmas blog. February 6, 2021. https://www.challengergray.com/blog/2021-flu-report-should-employers-embrace-post-pandemic-mask-wearing/

3. Singh T, Taitel M, Loy D, Smith-Ray R. Estimating the effect of a national pharmacy-led influenza vaccination voucher program on morbidity, mortality, and costs. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2020 Jan;26(1):42–47. doi:10.18553/jmcp.2020.26.1.42

How We Can Help

4. Nichol, K. L., Heilly, S. J., Greenberg, M. E., & Ehlinger, E. (2009). Burden of influenza-like illness and effectiveness of influenza vaccination among working adults aged 50-64 years. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 48(3), 292-298.

5. Vaccine Effectiveness - How Well Does the Flu Vaccine Work? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Website. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm. Updated August 31, 2016. Accessed October 26, 2016.

6. Osterholm MT, Kelley NS, Sommer A, Belongia EA. Efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2012;12(1):36-44.

7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). Estimated influenza illnesses and hospitalizations averted by vaccination - United States, 2014-15 influenza season. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/2016-17.htm. Updated 2017. Accessed January 2018.

8. Goad JA, Taitel MS, Fensterheim LE, Cannon AE. Vaccinations administered during off-clinic hours at a national community pharmacy: Implications for increasing patient access and convenience. Ann Fam Med. 2013;11(5):429-436.

9. Age restrictions apply

10. Influenza. National early-season flu vaccination coverage, United States, November 2017. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/nifs-estimates-nov2017.htm. Accessed April 3, 2018.

11. Duncan IG, Taitel MS, Zhang J, Kirkham HS. Planning influenza vaccination programs: A cost benefit model. Cost Eff Resour Alloc. 2012;10(1):10.

Testing

12 Walgreens Internal Data. August 2019