Hawaii, Connecticut and Maryland See Flu Activity Gains

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Walgreens Flu Index for Week Ending January 5, 2019. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Now in its fifth flu season, the Walgreens Flu Index was developed as a tool for consumers, health officials and the media to track flu activity in their area, and it continues to be an indicator of flu activity and important reminder to take preventive measures, such as receiving a flu shot, to stay healthy throughout the flu season.

The Walgreens Flu Index is compiled using the drugstore chain’s weekly retail prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza across Walgreens and Duane Reade locations nationwide. In addition to the top markets and states, the Flu Index also ranks the markets and states experiencing the greatest gains in activity on a week-over-week basis.

The weekly report is also available through an online, interactive map, which allows anyone to search and find information regarding the most current state of influenza in their community. To view this week’s map, click here.

Top 10 DMAs* with Flu Activity
Week Ending 1/5/2019

1. El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.)
2. Lincoln & Hastings-Kearney, Neb.
3. Omaha, Neb.
4. Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas
5. Louisville, Ky.
6. Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
7. Montgomery-Selma, Ala.
8. Colorado Springs-Pueblo, Colo.
9. Bakersfield, Calif.
10. Chattanooga, Tenn.

Top 10 States with Flu Activity
Week Ending 1/5/2019

1. Nebraska
2. New Mexico
3. Kentucky
4. Texas
5. Tennessee
6. New Jersey
7. Colorado
8. Wyoming
9. Nevada
10. Alabama

Top 10 DMAs with Flu Activity Gains
Week Ending 1/5/2019

1. Bakersfield, Calif.
2. Honolulu, Hawaii
3. Richmond-Petersburg, Va.
4. Syracuse, N.Y.
5. Columbus-Tupelo-West Point-Houston, Miss.
6. Springfield-Holyoke, Mass
7. La Crosse-Eau Claire, Wis.
8. St. Louis, Mo.
9. Albuquerque-Santa Fe, N.M.
10. Hartford & New Haven, Conn.

Top 10 States with Flu Activity Gains
Week Ending 1/5/2019

1. Hawaii
2. Connecticut
3. Maryland
4. South Dakota
5. California
6. Utah
7. Arkansas
8. Virginia
9. New Mexico
10. Rhode Island

Methodology

The Index is not intended to illustrate levels or severity of flu activity, but rather, based on this methodology, to show which populations are experiencing the highest incidences of influenza within the U.S. and Puerto Rico each week.

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.

*Designated Market Area

About Walgreens

Walgreens (walgreens.com), one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. Approximately 8 million customers interact with Walgreens in stores and online each day, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. As of August 31, 2018, Walgreens operates 9,560 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with its omnichannel business, Walgreens.com. Approximately 400 Walgreens stores offer Healthcare Clinic or other provider retail clinic services.

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