GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- In a rite of fall, many supermarkets traditionally offer flu shots, but this year there will be one less.
hester, N.Y., has cut back. Meijer pharmacies are providing flu shots ranging from $15 to $20 depending on the market, and some stores are also offering pneumonia shots for $25 to $30.
Albertsons is also offering 4,300 flu clinics at its banners, including Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, Sav-On Drug and Acme. "Immunization is the best way for families to protect their loved ones from this debilitating and sometimes life-threatening illness," said Kevin Tripp, executive vice president for pharmacy and drug store operations, Albertsons, in a prepared statement.
Meanwhile, Wegmans will not offer flu shots this year, with the exception of Buffalo, N.Y.-area stores, because of the uncertainty of vaccine supply required the grocery chain to constantly change vaccination schedules in recent years, according to the retailer's Web site. "We constantly had to let people down who made plans around an announced schedule, and the reasons were completely beyond our control," said Mary Ellen Burris, vice, president, consumer affairs, on the Web site.
