Ukrop's
Reminds Customers That A Flu Shot Can Save Your Life
Company expects to administer some 35,000 influenza vaccines this season through clinics, walk-ins and FluGrams
RICHMOND, VA - October 15, 2007 - It
takes just a few seconds, but it can save you and your family from
days of discomfort -- including missed days from work or school. It
even could save your life. It's the flu shot or influenza vaccine,
and this year Ukrop's Super Markets Inc. is making it even easier
to keep its customers and their families well.
Earlier this month, Ukrop's launched its annual flu shot program which offers a variety of ways for customers to quickly and easily get their influenza vaccination. The company has ordered some 35,000 doses this year up from the 30,000 shots that its trained pharmacy personnel administered last year.
Flu shot options at Ukrop's this season include:
- Flu clinics - This year, Ukrop's is holding
38 flu clinics across its locations. Customers are encouraged
to review the schedule for the location nearest them, or call
their Ukrop's pharmacist to schedule an appointment. A schedule
of upcoming flu clinics is included in this document.
- Walk-ins - Most pharmacies don't offer this
option, but Ukrop's does. Customers simply can walk in to a Ukrop's
pharmacy and request a flu shot.
- FluGram - New this year, Ukrop's is partnering
with Novartis Vaccines to offer the FluGram, an influenza vaccination
gift-giving program. Customers can reserve influenza vaccinations
before and during the influenza season for themselves or anyone
else. When a flu shot is reserved and paid for, the purchaser
will receive a FluGram gift card to present to the recipient.
The gift card is redeemed when the flu shot is administered.
"Getting a flu shot is one of the easiest
ways to protect yourself and your family from the dreaded and potentially
deadly influenza," said John Beckner, Ukrop's director of pharmacy
and health services. "Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory
disease especially for children, the elderly and those who work
in high-risk areas like schools, hospitals and nursing homes. We
also have a few clinics in late October just for kids, but anyone
under 18 will need a physician's prescription."
"Between our regular flu clinics and
walk-in shots, we're making it as easy as possible to get a flu
shot this year," Beckner added. "Our FluGram allows you
to give the gift of health to someone who might not ordinarily seek
an influenza vaccine on their own. The FluGram essentially reserves
a vaccination for the recipient, ensuring they're protected."
Important Points
- Anyone under 18 years of age needs a prescription for a flu shot at one of Ukrop's pharmacies. This includes the FluGramÔ option.
- Anyone interested in receiving a flu vaccine should consult their healthcare provider to determine if they have a condition that precludes them from receiving the vaccine.
- Ukrop's pharmacies will file with a customers' health insurance company before receiving the flu shot. The patient will only pay the portion not covered by their insurance company, but no more than $32. Customers may use their Ukrop's Valued Customer Card to receive a $5 discount when they get their flu shot.
- All FluGram gift cards are for sale for $32 at Ukrop's pharmacies.
- All vaccines have side effects. The most common side effects of influenza vaccines include local reactions and mild general symptoms.
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. It is most important for individuals to get vaccinated if they are:
- Pregnant
- Age six months to 5 years
- Age 50 or over
- Age six months to 18 years and on long-term aspirin treatment
- Living with certain chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, asthma, or diabetes
- Living with a weakened immune system as a result of HIV or other serious diseases
- Living in a nursing home or other long-term care facility
- Living with a nerve or muscle disorder such as severe cerebral palsy or seizure disorder
- Living or working with any of the groups mentioned above or with infants less than six months of age (i.e., health care workers, day care providers, parents, and care givers)
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 that are touched by numerous people.
2007 Flu Shot Schedule at Ukrop's Locations
Monday, Oct. 15
Petersburg - 7:30 a.m. -11 a.m.
Chesterfield Towne Center - 3 p.m. -7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 16
Brook Run - 7:30 a.m. -11 a.m.
Mechanicsville - 3 p.m. -7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 17
Roanoke/Ivy Market - 11 a.m. -7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 18
Gayton Crossing - 7:30 a.m. -11 a.m.
John Rolfe - 3 p.m. -7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 19
Sycamore Square - 7:30 a.m. -11 a.m.
Friday, Oct. 19/IVNA
Dumbarton Square - 4 p.m. -7 p.m.
Bermuda Square - 4 p.m. -7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 20/IVNA
Dumbarton Square - 10 a.m. -1 p.m.
Bermuda Square - 10 a.m. -1 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 22/Pediatric Clinic
Harbour Point - 3 p.m. -7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 23/Pediatric Clinic
Virginia Center Marketplace - 3 p.m. -7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 26/IVNA
Chesterfield Meadows - 4 p.m. -7 p.m.
Carytown - 4 p.m. -7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 27/IVNA
Chesterfield Meadows - 10 a.m. -1 p.m.
Carytown - 10 a.m. -1 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 29
Fredericksburg - 7:30 a.m. -11 a.m.
Ashland - 3 p.m. -7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 30
Chippenham Crossing - 7:30 a.m. -11 a.m.
Colonial Heights - 3 p.m. -7 p.m.
Customers can visit www.ukrops.com for updates and more information.
About Ukrop's
Ukrop's Super Markets, Inc., founded and headquartered in Richmond, Va., with more than 5,600, associates now operates 29 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. www.ukrops.com
About Novartis
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics is a division of Novartis focused on the development of preventive treatments. The division has two businesses: Novartis Vaccines and Chiron. Novartis Vaccines is the world's fifth-largest vaccines manufacturer and second-largest supplier of flu vaccines in the US. The division's products also include meningococcal, pediatric and travel vaccines. Chiron, the blood testing and molecular diagnostics business, is dedicated to preventing the spread of infectious diseases through the development of novel blood-screening tools that protect the world's blood supply.
Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) is a world leader in offering medicines to protect health, cure disease and improve well-being. Our goal is to discover, develop and successfully market innovative products to treat patients, ease suffering and enhance the quality of life. We are strengthening our medicine-based portfolio, which is focused on strategic growth platforms in innovation-driven pharmaceuticals, high-quality and low-cost generics, human vaccines and leading self-medication OTC brands. Novartis is the only company with leadership positions in these areas. In 2006, the Group's businesses achieved net sales of USD 37.0 billion and net income of USD 7.2 billion. Approximately USD 5.4 billion was invested in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ more than 100,000 associates and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.
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