GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer Inc. has expanded its pharmacy services to include on-demand flu shots at all 196 of its stores.

Meijer Inc. has expanded its pharmacy services to include on-demand flu shots at all 196 of its stores.

The supercenter retailer said Tuesday that to prepare for the bigger program, it trained more than 600 pharmacists to administer the flu vaccinations. The flu immunizations are is available on a walk-in basis at stores from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"Our expanded flu shot capability is yet another step in our efforts to make our stores a destination point for customers seeking healthy-living solutions," Karen Mankowski, vice president of pharmacy operations at Meijer, said in a statement. "Meijer pharmacies are evolving to provide a variety of services on both sides of the pharmacy counter, with our pharmacists becoming a key connection point for our customers."

Flu vaccines, which this year protect against seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu virus, are available for adults and children 9 years of age and older for $24.99. Meijer said that all customers who purchase a flu shot will receive a 2011 planner with a coupon book valued at more than $80.

"Flu shots are a very important part of staying healthy and protecting your family," Dr. Robert Stachler, M.D., senior staff physician at the Henry Ford Medical Group and clinical associate professor at Wayne State University, said in a statement released by Meijer. "It’s a bit concerning that since the flu is not making headlines this fall, many believe the threat is not there. It’s still there, and everyone — especially the higher risk groups — should be up to date on their shots."

The ramped-up flu shot program joins several other popular Meijer pharmacy programs, the company noted. Those include testing for full lipid profiles, simple cholesterol, liver function, hemoglobin A1C and blood glucose. Meijer added that it also offers a free medication program, providing certain antibiotics, prenatal vitamins and the diabetes medication metformin at no cost to customers with a prescription.

Meijer operates its food and drug stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.