The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against the H1N1 flu virus. The vaccine is expected to be made available around mid-October and two separate shots will be required, the center says. Walgreens is working closely with the U.S. government, which is overseeing the development and disbursement of an H1N1 vaccine. More information on the H1N1 flu virus as well as vaccine availability and prioritization can be found at the CDC Web site, www.cdc.

Pharmacists and health care professionals at Walgreens and Take Care Health Systems will actively seek out opportunities to educate patients about the differences between H1N1 and seasonal flu so they can take the best steps to protect themselves, said Allan Khoury, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Take Care Health Systems. While there ™s certainly widespread and growing concern around H1N1, what consumers can do right now is get the seasonal flu vaccine.

Walgreens (www.walgreens) is the nation ™s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2008 sales of $59 billion. The company operates 6,943 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Walgreens provides the most convenient access to consumer goods and services and cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services in America through its retail drugstores, Walgreens Health Services division and Walgreens Health and Wellness division. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc., Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC and SeniorMed LLC (a pharmacy provider to long-term care facilities). Walgreens Health and Wellness Division includes Take Care Health Systems, the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

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