Walgreens Launches Annual Flu Index to Help Communities Track Flu Activity
Walgreens encourages vaccination now ahead of the respiratory season and the holidays

Young patient high-fives pharmacist after vaccination at Walgreens (Photo: Business Wire)
For 11 years, the Walgreens Flu Index has provided an early and accurate view of disease trends. Historical data from the Walgreens Flu Index shows that southern states tend to see earlier and steeper peaks in flu activity when compared to the rest of the country.
“We continue to monitor the emergence of respiratory illnesses, and the Flu Index has been a reliable view of disease spread,” said Rick Gates, chief pharmacy officer. “Our goal is to protect communities from flu, as well as other seasonal viruses like COVID-19 and RSV.”
Even though early data shows lower initial activity, a seasonal spike is predicted to be around the corner. This is a great time for people to be thinking about protecting themselves before respiratory illnesses emerge and ahead of the holiday season, when we have historically seen illness spike.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu and updated COVID-19 vaccine.1 During the 2023–2024 season, respiratory illness activity began to increase in early November and peaked in late December, though flu remained at elevated levels in the
“Flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines remain the number one way to protect against respiratory viruses this fall and winter and can help reduce the severity of symptoms if you do get sick,” said Gates. “In fact, data from the CDC shows that last season, the annual flu shot reduced the risk of flu-related hospitalization and doctor visits by as much as
Walgreens is offering flu, COVID-19, RSV, pneumonia (pneumococcal), and other routine vaccinations appointments as well as walk-ins nationwide.* To schedule a vaccination appointment, use the Walgreens app, visit Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine or call 1-800-WALGREENS. Patients are able to schedule multiple immunizations during the same visit. Walgreens offers flexible openings, including nights and weekends, and walk-ins are welcome. Vaccines are covered by most insurance plans. Additionally, Walgreens is currently offering patients
Individuals who are experiencing a runny nose, cough or other respiratory symptoms should consider getting tested to know with greater confidence which virus they may have and be able to quickly take the necessary steps toward recovery. Walgreens offers a variety of convenient, low-cost options for flu and COVID-19 testing, including an easy combination test for COVID-19 and influenza A/B with results in 30 minutes or less. At-home tests, along with over-the-counter medicine cabinet essentials, are available for delivery in as little as 1 hour.
About the Walgreens Flu Index®
The Walgreens Flu Index® is an online, interactive tool that ranks the top markets and states for flu activity in
Every week, Walgreens tracks the incremental change of antiviral medications used to treat influenza across thousands of Walgreens and Duane Reade locations nationwide to create the Walgreens Flu Index®. Data for the Walgreens Flu Index® is analyzed at state and geographic market levels to measure absolute impact and incremental change of antiviral medications on a per store average basis and does not include markets in which Walgreens has fewer than 10 retail locations.
The index is not intended to illustrate flu severity, but rather, based on this methodology, to show which populations are experiencing the highest incidence of influenza within
Over the last three years, Walgreens has seen other respiratory illness activity captured through this index as respiratory symptoms across disease states can be similar. Walgreens continues to refine this surveillance platform with available data streams.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is included in the
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “CDC Recommends Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines for Fall/Winter Virus Season.” June 27, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s-t0627-vaccine-recommendations.html
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “This Season's Flu Vaccines Reduced Flu Medical Visits and Hospitalizations Across All Ages” February 29, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/whats-new/2023-2024-vaccines-reduce-medical-visits.html
*In some states, a prescription from a healthcare provider is required to receive an RSV vaccine at Walgreens.
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Media Contact
Samantha Stansberry
media@walgreens.com
Source: Walgreens