Meijer Pharmacy Busts Myths on Flu Shots

Don't wait for October when Back-to-School is best time for flu shots

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Sep 02, 2014, 11:15 ET

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Meijer pharmacists are playing myth busters and reminding parents why getting flu shots before kids go back to school is the perfect time to minimize the spread of seasonal influenza for families.

While the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer anticipates administering 30 percent more flu shots this season than last, Meijer Drug Store Vice President Nat Love says that one of the largest myths about flu shots could be keeping families from staying healthy at a time when viruses could be most prevalent.

"The best time to get a flu shot is not October, but actually before or soon after school starts," Love said. "Once classes begin, kids can literally bring viruses into your home every day, and it becomes difficult to keep influenza from spreading throughout the whole family. There is no expiration date to receiving a flu shot, so the sooner you get your flu shot, the better chance you have of staying healthy."

Seasonal influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory disease that can cause mild to severe illness, and at times, lead to hospitalization or death. Every flu season is different, and influenza effects vary from person to person, which is why Love says it is important to understand the facts. Click here for the top Meijer myth busters.

While H1N1 is still the most dominant strain this coming season, Love said walk-in services and new options for flu shots at retailers like Meijer are making it easier – and more appealing – for families to get vaccinated.

Meijer operates 213 pharmacies in its supercenters throughout the Midwest, all of which administer the vaccine without an appointment during pharmacy hours and accept most major insurance plans. Depending on age, health status and state regulations, Meijer pharmacies offer a variety of vaccine options that include:

Fluvirin/Fluzone: Vaccines injected in the arm for $27.99
FluMist: Nasal spray by request for $32.99
Fluzone HD: For patients 65 and older that are typically covered by Medicare Part B for $56

Additionally, Meijer pharmacists are offering Fluzone Quadrivalent injections – the new vaccine that covers the four major strains of influenza – for patients, ages 5-49, for $32.99.

Getting a flu shot, as well as other immunizations offered at Meijer, may count as prescription credits in the new mPerks Pharmacy Rewards Program, which allows customers to earn savings on shopping and gas purchases. See program details for restrictions.

To start earning rewards, customers just go to http://mperks.meijer.com and sign up in the "rewards" section. Once customers sign up, they can preview and select coupons for their favorite national or Meijer brand products that are then stored in their personal mPerks account until redeemed or expired. The applicable coupons are then instantly redeemed when shoppers enter in their mobile phone number, which serves as the mPerks account number, at checkout.

About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 213 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. As the inventor of the "one-stop shopping" concept, Meijer stores have evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive electronics departments, garden centers and apparel offerings. For more information on Meijer, please visit www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/meijer and @twitter.com/meijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.