Rite Aid Shields New Yorkers from the Flu at Grand Central Terminal on Oct. 5 and 6

Rite Aid to donate $3 to Tuesday’s Children programs for families affected by 9/11 for flu shots administered through “Shield Yourself, New York” event

CAMP HILL, Pa.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Rite Aid pharmacists will be on hand to administer flu shots to anyone 18 years or older* during the “Rite Aid Shield Yourself, New York” event at Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall on Oct. 5 (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Oct. 6 (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). For every flu shot administered at the event, Rite Aid will donate $3 to Tuesday’s Children, the widely recognized nonprofit organization that supports the families of 9/11 victims and first responders.

“We’ve chosen Grand Central Terminal to call attention to the importance of New Yorkers – especially those using mass transit – shielding themselves from the flu”

Rite Aid will also distribute free donation tickets to the busy commuters passing through Vanderbilt Hall both days. Now through November 30 this year, Rite Aid will donate $3 to Tuesday’s Children for everyone who presents a Grand Central Terminal donation ticket when purchasing a flu shot or a flu shot gift card at any Rite Aid.** Flu shots are just $27.99 and are covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare Part B.***

According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the flu and pneumonia result in the deaths of more than 2,000 New Yorkers every year, comprising the third leading cause of death in New York City.¹ An annual flu shot is the most effective way of preventing influenza and its complications. Nationally, the Department of Health and Human Services has set a goal of vaccinating between 80 and 90 percent of the population against flu.² In New York City, Department of Health phone surveys have indicated only 27 percent of New Yorkers are vaccinated against flu in time for the traditional start of the flu season.³

“We’ve chosen Grand Central Terminal to call attention to the importance of New Yorkers – especially those using mass transit – shielding themselves from the flu,” said John Learish, Rite Aid senior vice president of marketing. “We’re very pleased to give our New York customers the added benefit of making a donation to Tuesday’s Children on their behalf when they protect themselves and their families by getting a flu shot from a Rite Aid pharmacist.”

“Tuesday’s Children is very grateful to Rite Aid for its support of our organization as we continue to serve thousands of 9/11 families and individuals who still struggle even a decade after the events September 11,” said Terry Sears, executive director of Tuesday’s Children. “Rite Aid’s generosity will be a real shot in the arm – helping us to maintain, and expand, many of our most important programs.”

Rite Aid makes it easy to get a flu shot with walk-in service at all Rite Aid pharmacies throughout the New York Metro area. Customers can visit any Rite Aid pharmacy nationwide and receive a flu shot, subject to state regulations, during pharmacy hours. New York law allows pharmacists to administer the influenza or pneumococcal vaccines to patients 18 years or older.

To locate the nearest Rite Aid pharmacy, visit www.riteaid.com or call 1-800-RITE-AID. Anyone who gets a flu shot at Rite Aid will receive a free coupon booklet that offers over $100 in savings, while supplies last****. The booklet includes savings on health and wellness, beauty and household items and other products available at Rite Aid.

*Certain health limitations apply; see the Rite Aid pharmacist for details.

** Donation ticket from Grand Central Terminal event must accompany a flu shot or flu shot gift card purchase to activate $3 donation. $15,000 minimum donation.

*** $27.99 price applies to standard injectable flu vaccine. Vaccine available while supplies last. Age restrictions apply in some states. While Rite Aid accepts most insurance plans for flu shots administered in its pharmacies, flu shots administered at the Vanderbilt Hall event must be paid for by cash, credit card or through Medicare Part B coverage. Flu shot purchasers will receive receipts to submit their insurers.

****No purchase necessary.

Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE:RAD) is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with approximately 4,700 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia with fiscal 2011 annual revenues of $25.2 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through Rite Aid’s website at www.riteaid.com.

Tuesday's Children is a non-profit family service organization that has made a long term commitment to every individual directly impacted by the events of September 11, 2001, and more recently those who have been impacted by terrorist incidents worldwide. Since 2001, Tuesday’s Children has promoted healing and recovery by strengthening family resilience, providing individual coping and life management skills and creating community through programs, mental health support and family engagement opportunities. For more information, please call [phone] or visit www.tuesdayschildren.org.

References:
1. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/survey/survey-2010-influenza-vaccination.pdf
2. http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/objectiveslist.aspx?topicId=23
3. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/pr2010/pr060-10.shtml