Retailers, including Walgreens and Rite Aid are ready for the upcoming respiratory virus season.

Walgreens is now offering flu shots for anyone aged 3 years old and older at stores nationwide ahead of respiratory illness season. Individuals and families can visit the pharmacy or schedule an appointment through the Walgreens, website or by telephone. 

In addition, the retailer shared that its trusted pharmacy teams are working to keep communities protected this upcoming respiratory season by helping to ensure everyone has convenient and timely options for vaccination, testing and treatment – all in one place.

Vaccinations: Flexible vaccination appointments are available – including nights, weekends and walk-ins – with the option to schedule additional vaccines in the same visit. Available vaccines include RSV, shingles, pneumococcal pneumonia and others. Walgreens also will provide the updated COVID-19 vaccine once available, recommended by the CDC to better protect against newer coronavirus variants.

Testing: Individuals who are experiencing a runny nose, cough or other respiratory symptoms should get tested to help ensure they can quickly take the necessary steps toward recovery. Walgreens offers a variety of convenient options for flu and COVID-19 testing, including over-the-counter, PCR and an easy “2 results in 1” in-store rapid test for COVID-19 and influenza A and B with results in 30 minutes, for $24.99.

Treatments: Walgreens offers a full range of over-the-counter and prescription medications to help individuals minimize symptoms and recover as soon as possible. In many states, Walgreens pharmacists can evaluate and prescribe antiviral medicine, including Paxlovid or Tamiflu, if an individual tests positive for flu or COVID-19. Walgreens also offers 1-hour delivery for medicine cabinet essentials and Same Day Rx Delivery for eligible prescriptions.

Data from the CDC and IQVIA show that patients are increasingly turning to pharmacies for their routine vaccinations. According to a 2023 IQVIA study, approximately 70% of adult flu vaccinations were administered in retail pharmacies during flu season, Walgreens noted.

“Pharmacies continue to be the cornerstone of healthcare in communities across the U.S. and patients rely on our trusted pharmacists for everyday care, and respiratory illness season is no different,” said Rick Gates, chief pharmacy officer at Walgreens. “Our pharmacists play a critical role in ensuring communities stay protected from viruses, providing accessible, quick and routine preventive services, including vaccinations, testing and treatment.”

More than 50,000 immunizing Walgreens pharmacy team members continue to play a critical role in helping to protect patients and their families from vaccine-preventable illnesses. Since 2010, they have administered more than 105 million vaccinations in communities throughout the United States. Thanks to their efforts, neighborhood pharmacies like Walgreens continue to be the most accessible destinations for care during fall respiratory virus season.

Rite Aid announced that appointments for flu and respiratory syncytial vaccines currently are available at all store locations, including Bartell Drugs in the Pacific Northwest. Customers can now schedule appointments effective immediately for these vaccines and many others to protect themselves and family members against the upcoming respiratory virus season through Rite Aid’s online scheduler.

“With school starting soon and the upcoming fall respiratory season just around the corner, it’s important for families to stay up to date on their routine vaccines and reduce the spread of respiratory illness,” said Karen Staniforth, chief pharmacy officer at Rite Aid. “Whether customers choose to walk-into the pharmacy or schedule their vaccine in advance, Rite Aid is here to provide convenient access to the health services they need.”

Rite Aid will be offering flu vaccines protecting against the strains of influenza that are expected to circulate in the U.S. this year, as well as a nasal spray flu vaccine, which is in limited supply at select locations as indicated by the scheduler. Customers receiving their flu shot until Sept. 30 will get a coupon for $5 off a $25 in-store purchase. This offer excludes stores in New York or New Jersey and some restrictions apply. 

The company noted that the 2024-2025 flu vaccines are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control for everyone six months of age and olde, and the RSV vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines, Rite Aid said.

Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs also offer COVID-19 and other routine vaccinations at all locations, helping customers and families stay up to date on vaccines that provide critical protection against certain diseases, some of which are required for certain ages, activities or for overseas travel. Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs will provide the new 2024-2025 CDC-recommended COVID-19 vaccine once available late this summer, which will better protect against the most prevalent COVID-19 strain. Rite Aid pharmacists can provide additional guidance on which vaccines are right for each customer and advise on the timing of administration of each vaccine.

Rite Aid and Bartell’s pharmacists can immunize adults and children three years of age and older against influenza and COVID-19. To schedule an appointment for a flu vaccine or other immunizations, Rite Aid customers can use the online scheduling tool, and some locations are accepting walk-ins.