Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG), the nation’s largest retail provider of flu immunization services, today announced details of the most comprehensive flu shot program in the U.S.
Walgreens is offering unprecedented access to flu shots, with immunizations now available at every Walgreens pharmacy and Take Care Clinic nationwide, every day, during nearly all pharmacy and clinic hours – with no appointment necessary. Most New York City-area Duane Reade pharmacies are also now offering flu shots daily, with all Duane Reade stores expected to be offering them during all pharmacy hours by September. …

By Bevan K. Baker, Milwaukee Health Commissioner
Last spring – well outside what’s commonly referred to as “flu season” – residents were inundated with reports of a new virus that was rapidly spreading through communities across the country. Reports of illness poured in from all over Milwaukee, some schools were closed and everyone waited nervously for news on prevention and treatment of this new strain of H1N1 infl uenza that was commonly referred to as “swine flu.”
Just as the second wave of H1N1 infl uenza hit Milwaukee last fall, the City …

By Milwaukee Health Commissioner Bevan K. Baker
Influenza (“flu”) is a serious disease for everyone, but this year’s H1N1 influenza – commonly referred to as “swine flu” – turns out to be especially serious for our African- American, Hispanic, and Native American communities.
Last month, the Wisconsin State Division of Public Health released data showing that Wisconsin’s African Americans were three times more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to be hospitalized from H1N1 infection. Hospitalization rates for Hispanics and American Indians were twice as high as for non-Hispanic Whites. This was also true …

African Americans almost twice as likely to require hospitalization
Recently published reports have detailed the disparity in the number of H1N1 cases requiring hospitalization in the Milwaukee area and throughout the state of Wisconsin. As it stands, minorities require hospitalization two to three more often than whites.
The Wisconsin Division of Public Health recognizes that if any segment of the population is not properly protected against this active pandemic, then the entire community is at a risk. That is why the Wisconsin Division of Public Health is partnering with the Cream City …

Next Door Foundation announces
On Saturday, February 13, 2010 the Next Door Foundation will be partnering with CHIMC (Community Health Improvement for Milwaukee’s Children) and Students from the Medical College of Wisconsin to host a Community Winter Health Fair. The Health Fair will take place at Next Door Foundation, located at 2545 North 29th Street from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The fair will include “free” H1N1 vaccinations from the Milwaukee Health Department from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., HIV testing from the Aids Resource Center of Wisconsin and many other …

Americans are heeding the advice of health officials to get an H1N1 vaccination and help prevent a potential third wave of H1N1 flu activity. Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG), which is offering H1N1 vaccinations at all of its pharmacies and Take Care Clinics nationwide, has administered more than one million H1N1 vaccinations to date this season – as widespread vaccine availability and greater access enable more people to get vaccinated.
“Reaching one million H1N1 vaccinations, most of which have come in the last three weeks, shows that Americans truly value greater convenience …

Minority groups 2-3 times more likely to be hospitalized with H1N1
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services kicked off National Influenza Vaccination Week this week by calling on local public health departments to step up their H1N1 vaccination efforts in minority communities. DHS released a report showing that H1N1 hospitalizations for minority populations were higher in the 2009 fall outbreak.
“Based on these numbers it is clear that in addition to those with underlying health conditions, minorities should be considered a priority for vaccination efforts in 2010,” said State Health Officer Dr. …

Walgreens (NYSE, NASDAQ: WAG), the nation’s largest drugstore chain and an industry leader with more than 17,000 certified or licensed immunizers, today announced it is offering H1N1 vaccine at more than 1,500 Walgreens pharmacies and select Take Care Clinics in 27 states, as well as the District of Columbia. Walgreens continues to work with government agencies in the 23 other U.S. states to receive and distribute H1N1 vaccine, and to serve as a strategic distribution partner in communities nationwide. Walgreens plans to be offering H1N1 vaccine in all 50 states …

Governor Doyle Column:
Wisconsin has a lot of good news in our efforts to protect the public from H1N1 Influenza. First, H1N1 vaccine has become more plentiful. We know that vaccine is one of the most successful tools in protecting the health of people in our state. When our vaccine supplies were more limited, Wisconsin’s health care providers reached out to people with underlying health conditions, which make them more at-risk for influenza complications.
Now, with a larger vaccine supply, Wisconsin has returned to the original target groups recommended by the Centers …

Healthy school age children and young adults added back into target group
The Department of Health Services (DHS) announced this week that it is expanding the H1N1 vaccination group to include healthy school age children and young adults.
During the past few weeks, DHS has been monitoring the vaccine supply with public and private providers, as well as allocations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Based upon the H1N1 vaccine supply and feedback from providers, Wisconsin is returning to the original CDC target group recommendations.
“We applaud the work …