Safeway Now Offering Flu Vaccines in Hawaii Stores
HONOLULU – Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) is again offering flu vaccines this year on a “walk-in” basis at Safeway pharmacies and through scheduled flu vaccination clinics at selected Safeway stores. 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, Hawaii district manager. “Individuals have no reason to go unprotected this flu season nor should businesses risk lost productivity due to a sick workforce.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that individuals 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.
Although the flu vaccine is the same as last year’s, the CDC is stressing that it is most important for individuals to be vaccinated on an annual basis as immunity decreases rapidly. The 2011-2012 vaccine will protect against influenza A types H3N2 and H1N1, as well as an influenza B virus. Safeway will offer vaccinations to individuals 18 years and older.
All Safeway pharmacies will have a high-dose flu vaccine, Fluzone HD, available for patients aged 65 years and older, as well as regular strength and preservative-free presentations, which have been approved by the FDA for use. Businesses or organizations that desire an on-site clinic should call Stan Leung at 925-467-2630 to schedule an appointment.
This is a listing of the flu clinics available at Safeway stores in Hawaii:
Kauai
Kapa‘a (4-831 Kuhio Highway - 808-822-2191)
Oahu
Honolulu (1121 South Beretania Street - 808-592-6487/888 Kapahulu Avenue - 808-733-2606)
Kailua (200 Hamakua Drive - 808-266-5220)
Maui
Kahului (170 E. Kamehameha Avenue - 808-893-0606)
Kihei (277 Pi‘ikea Avenue - 808-891-9130)
Big Island
Hilo (381 East Maka‘ala Street - 808-920-8874)
Information about stores offering the flu vaccine can be found at www.safeway.com/flu or by contacting your local Safeway store. 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.
About Safeway
Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. The company operates 1,687 stores in the United States and Canada. The company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.
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