375,000 people in Laos will benefit from
donation to Lao Ministry of Health
As flu
season approaches in Southeast Asia, Walgreenstoday announced a donation of
375,000 doses of seasonal flu vaccine to Lao People's Democratic Republic
(referred to as Lao PDR or Laos). The Lao PDR Ministry of Health (Lao MOH) was
selected to receive the vaccine based on longstanding collaborations between
the Lao MOH, World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health and
Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as
Walgreens objective to provide vaccine to a population in need.
"This
is an example of the potential value of collaboration between public health and
private organizations," said Dr. Joe Bresee, chief of the Epidemiology and
Prevention Branch in CDC's Influenza Division. "Influenza vaccination is
an important tool to reduce respiratory disease in Laos, particularly among
people who are at risk for serious flu complications including pregnant women,
the elderly and people with chronic health conditions. We're excited to help
make this happen."
Walgreens,
which provides more flu vaccine in the United States each year than any other
retailer, drugstore chain or U.S. corporation, has worked with the CDC and the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help increase the number of
people vaccinated against influenza in underserved communities across America.
Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, visited a Chicago area Walgreens this season to get her seasonal flu
shot from one of its pharmacists. HHS also assisted Walgreens in the
distribution of seasonal flu vaccine vouchers in select markets throughout the
country the last two years, which provided free flu vaccinations for the
uninsured and underinsured.
Lao PDR
health officials have designated the 375,000 doses of donated flu vaccine for
people at high risk of flu complications in that country, including pregnant
women, seniors and people with chronic health conditions such as heart and lung
disease. The Walgreens donation was the result of a unique CDC-facilitated
collaboration between Walgreens and the Lao MOH.
"In
recent years, going back to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, we've demonstrated the
positive impact we can have by helping to increase flu vaccination coverage
while working together with government and health officials at every
level," said Kermit Crawford, Walgreens president of pharmacy, health and
wellness. "As flu season winds down here in the United States, we're
pleased to provide vaccine to the people of Laos and to work with the Ministry
of Health to help launch its seasonal flu vaccination effort."
Laos
has a population of more than 6.7 million people, and during the 2009-2010 flu
pandemic more than 1 million people were vaccinated against 2009 H1N1; however,
the country currently does not have an ongoing seasonal flu vaccination
program.
"The
Ministry of Health in Laos has worked collaboratively with CDC and WHO to
establish the infrastructure to implement this seasonal flu vaccination
campaign. They are ready, and on April 24 the country will launch the
vaccination campaign across Laos with the donated vaccine from Walgreens,"
said Bresee.
The
donated seasonal flu vaccine was shipped to Laos via UPS, which provided the
PharmaPort (TM)360 air freight containers needed to keep the vaccine at the
precise temperature and monitor the shipment throughout its five-day,
9,000-mile transport from UPS's healthcare facility in the United States.
About
Walgreens
As the
nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2011 sales of $72 billion,
Walgreens ( www.walgreens.com ) vision is to become America's first choice for
health and daily living. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million
customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and
services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and
advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services
includes retail, speciality, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along
with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower
costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health
systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The company operates
7,847 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most
comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store
convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.
SOURCE:
Walgreens
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