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UKROP'S SUPER MARKETS INC. KICKS OFF 2008-2009
FLU IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM
Company offers unmatched convenience with walk-in service and 31
clinics for some 35,000 customers this season
RICHMOND, Va. - Sept. 30, 2008 - Aches, nausea and fevers
are a few of the discomforts that Ukrop's Super Markets, Inc. is
helping its customers avoid this upcoming flu season by offering
a full range of flu-related vaccine services.
Again this year, Ukrop's offers the ultimate in convenience - walk-in
flu shots at 22 Ukrop's locations with pharmacies. This fall and
winter, the company plans to administer 35,000 flu vaccines. Since
1998, Ukrop's has administered 250,000 flu vaccines.
Quick Facts
Who: Children ages 6 months to 18 years old, adults over
age 50, those with certain chronic illnesses, and anyone who works
or lives with a high-risk individual should be vaccinated. Ukrop's
follows the recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control
& Prevention (CDC) by offering vaccines for children under 18
with a prescription.
When: The Ukrop's flu vaccinations officially begin Oct.
1, but walk-in patients began receiving shots as early as Sept.
15.
Where: Walk-in service for the 22 Ukrop's stores in Richmond,
Williamsburg, Fredericksburg and Roanoke with in-store pharmacies.
Flu clinics will be held at all 28 Ukrop's stores.
How: The out-of-pocket cost for a flu immunization depends
on a customer's health insurance plan. Shots are free for customers
with Medicare Part B. For customers not using health insurance,
the influenza shot costs only $25 with a Ukrop's Valued Customer
Card (a $9 savings). For those who don't like needles, preservative-free
FluMist® nasal vaccine is available for qualifying individuals.
Pneumonia vaccines also are available for $54 a shot.
Rewards: Richmond-area customers using their Ukrop's Valued
Customer Card when paying for their flu shot also will receive fuelperks!®,
which equate to discounts on gas at participating stations.
Two Convenient Ways to Get a Vaccine at Ukrop's
Ukrop's offers two convenient options for flu vaccinations:
- Walk-ins - Most pharmacies don't offer this option, but
Ukrop's does. Customers simply can visit a Ukrop's Pharmacy and
request a flu shot.
or
- Flu clinics - This year, Ukrop's is holding 31 flu clinics
across its locations. During the clinics, Ukrop's will have its
specially trained pharmacy teams in place to accommodate larger
groups of customers. Customers are encouraged to review the clinic
schedule online at www.ukrops.com
or call their local Ukrop's for more information.
National recognition for Ukrop's flu immunization program
For Ukrop's longstanding commitment to a community flu immunization
program, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation
in May presented Ukrop's with one of its prestigous Pinnacle Awards.
The organization described Ukrop's and its immunization progam as
being a champion "of bold and innovative approaches to improving
our nation's health."
Why get immunized
Sadly, last year was one of the deadliest flu seasons in the past
three years. There was a higher rate of children, from birth to
four years, who were hospitalized and died, according to the CDC.
Each year, new flu virus strains emerge. Sometimes these strains
are unpredictable, as happened last year, which meant that the vaccine
did not fully protect against all influenza.
"Getting the flu shot may not guarantee that you will be protected
against the flu, but it is your best defense," said John
Beckner, Ukrop's director of pharmacy and health services. "And
even if you get a strain of the flu not covered by the vaccine,
your symptoms will probably be less severe.
"Getting a flu shot really does make sense if you factor in
your medical bills, prescription costs, time away from work or school,
and the impact on your family," Beckner added.
The Ukrop's Pharmacy immunization program has grown from the provision
of flu and pneumonia vaccines for adult patients to immunizations
across the lifespan to a comprehensive pre-travel health program.
"Ukrop's immunization program is an extension of our ongoing
health and wellness programs," said Beckner. "When you
come to Ukrop's for your flu shot, you know you're in trusted hands."
About Influenza
- Common flu symptoms include coughing, sneezing, fatigue, muscle
aches, fever, and headaches. Influenza spreads mostly through
coughing and sneezing, but also by touching something with the
virus on it and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- The single best way to prevent catching and spreading seasonal
flu is to get vaccinated. The CDC advises that the following high-risk
individuals get vaccinated:
o Pregnant women
o Children age 6 months to 18 years
o People age 50 and up
o People at any age with certain chronic medical conditions
o People with a weakened immune system
o People living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
o People living with or working with any of the groups mentioned
above or with infants less than 6 months of age (i.e., health
care workers, day care providers, parents, and care givers)
o Any person who wishes to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill
with influenza or transmitting influenza to others
Tips to Prevent the Flu
In addition to vaccination, taking these steps can help prevent
the flu:
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water often.
- Cough or sneeze into your arm or sleeve, not your hands.
- Stay home from work if you think you have the flu and keep your
kids out of school if they might have it.
- Keep tissues and sanitizing gel or wipes handy - for your hands
and for surfaces.
About Ukrop's
Ukrop's Super Markets, Inc., founded and headquartered in Richmond,
Va., with more than 5,600, associates now operates 28 retail food
stores, Joe's Market (a regional specialty market), a central bakery
and kitchen, and a distribution center. Since 1937, the privately
held business remains dedicated to its version of the Golden Rule:
"treating customers, associates, and suppliers as they personally
want to be treated." Each year, Ukrop's gives a minimum of
10 percent of its pre-tax profits back to the community. Ukrop's
was a pioneer in both loyalty marketing and meal solutions when
it launched its Valued Customer® program in 1987 and its chilled
prepared foods in 1989. In 1997, Ukrop's established a unique partnership
to place banks in its retail locations. Today, it co-owns, with
Markel Corporation, 25 First Market Bank branches in Ukrop's locations
and 10 free-standing branches. In June 2008, Ukrop's launched another
innovative loyalty program called fuelperks! which rewards Richmond-area
customers by providing significant discounts on fuel based on Ukrop's
grocery purchases. To date, Ukrop's fuelperks! rewards exceed $1.86
million dollars. www.ukrops.com
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Media
Contacts:
Susan Rowe
Ukrop's Super Markets Inc.
804-340-3104 - Susan.Rowe@ukrops.com
Jonathan Rhudy
For Ukrop's Super Markets Inc.
804-897-0763 - jonathan@rhudy.biz
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