BOISE, ID — Albertsons Cos. pharmacies are ready for flu season with a supply of flu and COVID-19 vaccines, the company said on Tuesday, noting that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging flu and COVID-19 vaccinations as one of the best ways to stay healthy and minimize the strain on our national health systems.

“Our pharmacy teams are dedicated to protecting the health of the communities we serve, and we are committed to ensuring everyone has access to COVID-19 and flu vaccines,” said Omer Gajial, senior vice president of pharmacy and health at Albertsons Cos. “We have administered more than 6.5 million COVID-19 vaccinations to date, and with flu season approaching, we are now offering flu shots as well. Customers can now safely receive both vaccines via a single appointment or can also schedule them independently.”

The CDC currently recommends that everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, get an annual flu vaccination to prevent infection with the most common flu viruses, which can cause possible severe illness in some people. Albertsons Cos. notes that a recent study by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found that the influenza vaccine may also provide additional protection against severe COVID-19 complications. Patients with COVID-19 who had received the flu shot were less likely to visit the ER, be admitted to the ICU, or have a stroke, sepsis, or deep vein thrombosis.

No appointment is necessary to get vaccinated at an Albertsons Cos. pharmacy, the company said. COVID-19 vaccines as well as flu and other vaccines can be administered on a “walk-in” basis.

Flu vaccinations are available to children as young as 6 months of age, where allowed by state law. Currently, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine can be administered to patients as young as 12 years old, while the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines are available for patients 18 and older. An adult must sign a consent and release form for minor patients receiving vaccinations. Customers who receive vaccinations at any Albertsons Cos. pharmacy receive access to a free digital vaccine record they can download and save to a digital device for their own use.

“According to CDC guidelines, it is still recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and an additional dose of mRNA vaccine is recommended for qualifying individuals who are immunocompromised, “said Erin Shaal, vice president of pharmacy procurement at Albertsons Cos. Shaal said that the retailer’s pharmacists can help patients decide which vaccines are appropriate for them. “Staying up-to-date with recommended vaccines is the best tool we have to protect the individuals and communities we serve,” he said.