Texas Markets Top Walgreens Flu™ Index for Overall Flu Activity During 2018-2019 Flu Season

Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas among top five states for flu activity for third consecutive season

Walgreens today released its season-ending Flu Index™, ranking the top states and markets (DMAs) experiencing the highest incidences of influenza across the country this season. The Index is based on methodology that includes Walgreens aggregate prescription data from September 2018 through April 2019.

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Walgreens 2018-2019 Season-ending Flu Index (Graphic: Business Wire)

The states with the highest rates of influenza according to the Index were Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. The top three markets for flu activity were all in Texas, including Brownsville, El Paso and Tyler.

To view the 2018-2019 season-ending Walgreens Flu Index, maps and other online feature, click here.

Top 10 DMAs* with Flu Activity
Aggregate data from September 2018 through April 2019

1. Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas
2. El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.)
3. Tyler-Longview (Lufkin & Nacogdoches), Texas
4. Corpus Christi, Texas
5. Oklahoma City, Okla.
6. Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem, N.C.
7. Lincoln & Hastings-Kearney, Neb.
8. Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
9. Monroe, La.-El Dorado, Ark.
10. Biloxi-Gulfport, Miss.

Top 10 States with Flu Activity
Aggregate data from September 2018 through April 2019

1. Mississippi
2. Oklahoma
3. Texas
4. Wyoming
5. Arkansas
6. Nebraska
7. Louisiana
8. Tennessee
9. Kentucky
10. Alabama

Methodology

The Index is not intended to illustrate levels or severity of flu activity, but rather, based on this methodology, to show which populations are experiencing the highest incidences of influenza within the U.S. and Puerto Rico each week.

Data for the Walgreens Flu Index is analyzed at state and geographic market levels to measure absolute impact and incremental change of antiviral medications on a per store average basis, and does not include markets in which Walgreens has fewer than 10 retail locations.

*Designated Market Area

About Walgreens

Walgreens (walgreens.com), one of the nation's largest drugstore chains, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. WBA, the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. Approximately 8 million customers interact with Walgreens in stores and online each day, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. As of August 31, 2018, Walgreens operates 9,560 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with its omnichannel business, Walgreens.com. Approximately 400 Walgreens stores offer Healthcare Clinic or other provider retail clinic services.

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