Flu Shots Available at Rite Aid as Severe Flu Season Continues

In response to a flu season that health experts are calling one of the most severe in the past decade, Rite Aid is making sure its pharmacies are stocked with flu shots. The effort comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Friday the highest rate of influenza-like illnesses since 2009 and the highest flu hospitalization rate since 2010, when the agency began keeping such records. The CDC also reported that between Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2018, flu and pneumonia accounted for 10% of deaths in the country.

"With the CDC reporting that we've not yet reached the peak of flu season and the potential for flu activity for several more weeks, we're following the situation closely and making every effort to have flu shots available in all of our pharmacies," says Jocelyn Konrad, Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy. "We encourage anyone who hasn't yet received a flu shot to get one today and protect themselves and those around them for the duration of the flu season."

Flu shots are currently available at all Rite Aid pharmacies and are covered by most insurance plans with $0 co-pay, including Medicare Part B. Rite Aid certified immunizing pharmacists are able to administer flu shots, subject to state regulations, during pharmacy hours; no appointment is necessary.

Since pneumonia can be a serious and sometimes deadly complication of the flu, especially for older adults, the CDC also recommends the pneumococcal vaccine for those 65 and over. Rite Aid pharmacies also have supplies of pneumococcal shots, which can be administered at the same time as the flu shot, subject to state regulations. Like flu shots, pneumococcal shots are covered by many insurance plans and most customers with Medicare Part B will have $0 co-pay.

To locate the nearest Rite Aid pharmacy, visit www.riteaid.com or call 1-800-RITE-AID.

Rite Aid pharmacies also have supplies of the prescription medications Tamiflu and Relenza for those patients whose doctor has prescribed one of these medications. If necessary, Rite Aid pharmacists are trained to be able to compound Tamiflu for pediatric patients.

In addition, Rite Aid pharmacists are available to counsel customers on over-the-counter medicines, like pain relievers, cough and cold medicines and hydration products that can be used to help manage symptoms associated with the flu. To help prevent the spread of the flu, Rite Aid store shelves are also stocked with additional supplies of hand sanitizer and soaps, masks, gloves, tissues and household disinfectants.

Rite Aid Corporation RAD is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains fiscal 2017 annual revenues of $32.8 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180212005734/en/