Kmart Pharmacy Flu Clinics Begin Septembe...( HOFFMAN ESTATES Ill. Sept...),Health

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Kmart announced today that its annual walk-in flu clinics open tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 10, and will continue through October 30, 2009. Seasonal flu vaccinations will be available at the over 900 Kmart Pharmacy locations for $25 while supplies last.

"Kmart Pharmacy is dedicated to being your home for family health," says Robbert Ayshford, RPh, divisional vice president, Kmart Pharmacy. "Due to continuing concern over seasonal flu outbreaks this year Kmart wants to remind the community that Kmart Pharmacy is a great resource for keeping families healthy this winter."

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza, an infection of the nose, throat and lungs is a leading cause of death in the United States. Flu season begins in November and can last until May. The seasonal flu vaccine is highly effective in preventing seasonal flu, but because different strains of flu circulate every winter, the CDC recommends people are vaccinated annually.

This year, the rising threat of H1N1, also known as swine flu, has brought extra awareness to the need for people to be immunized, although the seasonal flu shot does not cover H1N1. While there is no H1N1 vaccination available yet, the CDC is expanding their outreach and awareness programs to include Twitter and Facebook this year to ensure that every population segment is fully informed about the importance of being vaccinated for seasonal flu.

"There is a lot of confusion out there among consumers about the differences between seasonal flu and H1N1," says Ayshford. "We encourage consumers to visit the Kmart Pharmacy nearest them and talk to a pharmacist face-to-face. They are happy to answer any questions you have about keeping your families healthy this winter."

The government recommends that people over the age of 50,
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