MEDIA RELEASE

With the current rapid rise in flu cases nationwide, Safeway, Inc. is offering flu vaccines on a “walk-in” basis at Safeway Pharmacies.

Safeway is also able to provide an off-site flu clinic service for businesses, senior centers and nursing homes that wish to provide their employees or residents with the convenience of receiving the flu vaccine where they work or live.

“We want to make it easy for individuals to protect themselves from this year’s strain of influenza by offering the flu vaccine in an affordable and convenient environment,” said George Glukfeld, Safeway Hawaii district manager. “Individuals have no reason to go unprotected this flu season nor should businesses risk lost productivity due to a sick workforce.”

Medical experts warn this flu season could be the worst flu season since the 2009 H1N1 outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get their yearly flu vaccination as soon as the vaccine becomes available.

In addition, to avoid the risk of flu-related complications, the CDC stresses the importance of people with chronic health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, COPD, or immunosuppressive conditions receiving a flu vaccination this season.

In the past two years, the flu vaccine had been the same. This year, the flu vaccine contains a different strain of the flu virus from the previous two years.

The flu shot this year will protect against the Influenza A virus H1N1 (California 2009), H3N2 (Victoria 2011), and Influenza B virus (Wisconsin 2010).

The CDC stresses individuals get vaccinated annually to maximize their protection from the flu.

All Safeway pharmacies will have Fluzone HD, a high dose flu shot available for patients aged 65 years and older, as well as regular strength and preservative free presentations.

Businesses or organizations that desire an on-site clinic may call Stan Leung at 925-467-2630 to schedule an appointment.

Flu shots are available at the following Safeway Pharmacies in Hawaii during pharmacy business hours on a walk-in basis (No appointments required).

In addition, Safeway Pharmacies are now able to provide flu shots for people ages 14-17 if they provide a prescription for the flu shot.

Safeway is able to bill Medicare B, HMSA, HMAA and UHA participants at no charge, as well as some HMA participants at a small co-pay amount.

As an added bonus, everyone who gets a flu shot will receive a 10 percent off grocery coupon.

* Kauai
Kapaa: 822-2191

* Oahu
Honolulu: South Beretania Street – 535-1785
Honolulu: Kapahulu Avenue – 733-2606
Kailua: 266-5220
Ewa Beach: 683-3205

* Maui
Kahului: 893-0606
Kihei: 891-9130

* Big Island
Hilo: 920-8874
Kona: 329-2207

— Find out more:
www.safeway.com/flu