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Walmart ramps up vaccination services

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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is expanding its move into the health care field with the launch of an expanded immunization program at more than 2,700 of its stores.

Walmart is expanding its move into the health care field with the launch of an expanded immunization program at more than 2,700 of its stores.

The retailer will offer 10 vaccinations, including those for shingles and whooping cough, at kiosks located in the front of Walmart stores. The immunizations will be offered during events that will take place through November 15, and will be administered under a contract with Mollen Immunization Clinics. The flu and pneumonia vaccines will also be available at events in more than 3,800 Walmart store locations with a pharmacy.

Walmart says it is the first national retailer to use registered nurses (part of Mollen Immunization Clinics’ nurse network), rather than pharmacists, to administer in-store vaccinations across all store locations.

"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many adults are not up-to-date with recommended life-saving immunizations," says John Agwunobi, president of Walmart U.S. Health and Wellness. "Vaccinations may not be top-of-mind while the weather is still warm, but they are a critical part of public health, especially in light of recent outbreaks of whooping cough and shingles.

"We are making it easy and affordable for our customers to receive their vaccinations — while on their normal shopping trips they can simply stop by immunization events, which will accept thousands of insurance plans and offer low-price options for our cash-paying customers."

The vaccinations being offered are for flu and pneumonia (both offered at all Walmart locations with a pharmacy), as well as those for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, chickenpox, the human papilloma virus, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), meningitis, shingles and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough).
Walmart says the immunization events are part of its effort to provide customers with better access to quality, affordable health care. The retailer launched a $4 generic drug program in 2006, and partnered with Humana Inc. to launch a Medicare prescription drug plan in 2010.


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