Wal-Mart Vaccinations Expand to 2,700 Stores

Meningitis, hepatitis, shingles and HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccinations will be available at 2,700 Wal-Mart stores in the US from 27 August onwards.

A total of 10 different types of immunisation shots will be provided through a tie-up between Wal-Mart and Mollen Immunization Clinics, strengthening a partnership already well-established through the latter's supply of other vaccinations on the store chain's behalf.

Mollen will make available a fleet of nurses who will be located at dedicated immunisation kiosks positioned at the front of Wal-Mart stores. The use of nurses, as opposed to pharmacists, significantly broadens the variety of vaccinations that could otherwise be offered.

Wal-Mart Vaccinations

"The goal is to take advantage of the fact these individuals are in our stores shopping for groceries every day", explained Doctor John Agwunobi, the firm's health and wellness president, in a statement on the Wal-Mart vaccinations. "We want our customers to begin to see us as a destination not just for nutrition but for preventative health care."

The ten new vaccines being offered by Wal-Mart were all recommended by CDC - the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The expansion of the Wal-Mart Flu Shot programme supplements what's already in place, namely pneumonia and flu vaccines. Vaccinations against these two conditions will now become more widespread and so be offered at every Wal-Mart store that has a pharmacy.

Wal-Mart Store Vaccines

For US residents, details of the nearest Wal-Mart stores where vaccinations are available can be found on the Flu Shot programme's official website.

"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many adults are not up-to-date with recommended life-saving immunizations. Vaccinations may not be top-of-mind while the weather is still warm, but they are a critical part of public health, especially in light of recent outbreaks of whooping cough and shingles", Agwunobi added.

"We are making it easy and affordable for our customers to receive their vaccinations, while on their normal shopping trips they can simply stop by immunization events, which will accept thousands of insurance plans and offer low price options for our cash paying customers."

Image copyright Grook Da Oger - Courtesy Wikimedia Commons