Albertsons Donates Flu Vaccines to Homeless, Veterans and Underserved Communities

Albertsons Companies Pharmacies has donated 5,000 flu vaccines to 21 non-profit organizations across country that serve homeless people and families, military veterans and low-income populations. The company also provided staff pharmacists to administer the vaccines at on-site mobile vaccine clinics to promote a healthy flu season for those most at risk of becoming infected with the flu virus.

“It’s important for health care providers to keep our communities healthy, especially the people who are most vulnerable or underserved. It was an easy decision to donate the vaccine, with no limit on how much each organization needed,” stated Mark Panzer, Albertsons Companies Senior Vice President of Pharmacy Health and Wellness. “This outreach is part of our overall mission to help people live healthier lives, empower them with medically sound information and reduce the barriers to health care.”

Albertsons Companies operates food and drug stores under 19 banners, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs. Pharmacists and other store team members have established longtime partnerships with many of the recipient organizations, making the flu clinic just one of many ways the stores support the organizations.

In the Dallas, Texas area, four free flu clinics have been held since the start of the 2016-2017 flu season, including clinics with the Dallas Independent School District and Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support.

“The women who turn to Genesis to escape domestic violence are no different from any of us who are concerned about protecting ourselves and our families from illness,” said Jan Langbein, chief executive officer of Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support in Dallas, Texas.  “We are grateful to Albertsons and Tom Thumb for providing flu shots this season, giving our clients one less thing to be concerned about on their journey to the abuse-free lives they deserve.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months and older, with rare exception, get an annual flu vaccination as soon as it is available. Vaccinations protect the individuals and everyone around them, protecting healthy individuals and high risk groups (i.e. ages 65 and older) from possible severe symptoms, flu-related complications, and hospitalization.

Albertsons Companies Pharmacies are currently offering broad flu protection with the QIV flu vaccine. The QIV offers protection against four of the most common strains of the flu virus and promises to help consumers maximize their protection against the flu this season.

Now thru February 2017, no appointment is necessary as the flu vaccine is provided on a “walk-in” basis at Albertsons Companies stores with pharmacies. Albertsons Companies pharmacies also provides off-site flu clinic services for businesses, senior centers and nursing homes that choose to provide their employees or residents with the convenience of receiving a flu vaccine where they work or live.