CVS Health and Direct Relief Partner to Donate $1 Million in Flu Shot Vouchers to Uninsured Patients of Community Health Clinics

Nearly 100 participating clinics in over a dozen underserved markets to distribute vouchers to their patients that are redeemable at any CVS/pharmacy or MinuteClinic location for a flu shot

News provided by

CVS Health

Oct 23, 2014, 10:00 ET

WOONSOCKET, R.I. and SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Oct. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health and Direct Relief announced today that they have partnered to provide $1 million in flu shot vouchers to community health clinic patients in underserved communities who lack health insurance. Nearly 100 participating clinics will identify uninsured individuals from their existing patient populations and provide them with a flu shot voucher that is redeemable at any CVS/pharmacy^® or MinuteClinic^® location.

"Cost should not be a barrier to receiving important preventive health care such as a flu vaccination. While most insurance plans fully cover the cost of a flu shot, our partnership with Direct Relief will help ensure that thousands of uninsured patients will have access to a flu shot at CVS/pharmacy or MinuteClinic at no cost to them," said Papatya Tankut, RPh, Vice President of Pharmacy Affairs at CVS Health.

Direct Relief's network of more than 1,200 community health centers and clinics nationwide enables CVS Health's generous contribution to reach people who need help.

"While flu shots offer the best protection against influenza viruses, too many families with low incomes and without insurance are unable to afford the vaccination," said Damon Taugher, director of U.S. programs at Direct Relief. "Direct Relief is delighted to work with CVS Health to help protect thousands of people who are in tough financial situations access a flu shot at no cost to them this season."

Community health clinics that received flu shot vouchers are located in the following metropolitan areas:

Boston, MA
Chicago, IL
Dallas, TX
Detroit, MI
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Miami, FL
New York City, NY
Newark, NJ
Orlando, FL
Philadelphia, PA
Phoenix, AZ
Tampa, FL
Trenton, NJ

A list of select participating locations at which flu shot vouchers are now available for uninsured patients of the health clinics may be found at http://www.cvshealth.com/flu-shot-vouchers-participating-clinics.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone ages six months and older get an annual flu shot. All CVS/pharmacy and all MinuteClinic locations inside select CVS/pharmacy stores can administer flu vaccinations every day with no appointment needed, including evening and weekends.^*

For more information on the vaccines offered by CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic, please visit www.cvs.com/getvaccinated or www.minuteclinic.com/services/vaccination.

About CVS Health

CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through our 7,700 retail pharmacies, more than 900 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 65 million plan members, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, we enable people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable, effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at www.cvshealth.com.

About Direct Relief

Direct Relief is a global nonprofit dedicated to improving the health of people affected by poverty, natural disasters, and civil unrest. The only U.S. nonprofit to obtain Verified Accredited Wholesale Distributor^© (VAWD) certification by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, Direct Relief is among the largest medical suppliers to safety-net facilities throughout the U.S. and the world. A winner of the CECP Director's Award, the National Association of Community Health Centers' Power of Partnership Award, the Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation, and the Esri President's Award for GIS Mapping, Direct Relief maintains a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, and a 100% fundraising efficiency rating from Forbes magazine. For more information, visit www.DirectRelief.org.

^*Certain immunizations have age and location restrictions. Flu shots are available when immunizing pharmacist, MinuteClinic nurse practitioner or physician assistant is on duty, while supplies last.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Mike DeAngelis, CVS Health
[email protected]
401-770-2645

Tony Morain, Direct Relief
[email protected]
530-574-5707

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SOURCE CVS Health