Walgreens Flu Index® November Report Shows South and Southwest Top Flu Activity List

Nevada and Mississippi Markets Move Up Into Walgreens Flu Index Top Five Markets in November 2019

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- It’s National Influenza Vaccination Week and Walgreens is releasing the November report for the Walgreens Flu Index® reminding you that now is as good of a time as any to get your annual flu shot if you haven’t already. The November report shows markets across Louisiana leading with the most instances of flu, along with markets in other southern states and Las Vegas, Nev. –a change from last season where markets in Texas accounted for most of the top activity in November. Whether you’re in a top market or state with increased flu activity or not, the flu vaccine can take up to two weeks to become fully effective so it’s important to get the flu shot early and well before large gatherings in order to make the most of the holiday season.

Check out a recap of the top 10 markets and states for the month of November below:

Top 10 DMAs with Flu Activity
For month of November

1. Lafayette, La.
2. Alexandria, La.
3. Biloxi-Gulfport, Miss.
4. Las Vegas, Nev.
5. Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas
6. New Orleans, La.
7. Dothan, Ala.
8. Baton Rouge, La.
9. Tyler-Longview (Lufkin & Nacogdoches), Texas
10. Victoria, Texas

Top 10 States with Flu Activity
For Month of November

1. Louisiana
2. Nevada
3. Texas
4. Mississippi
5. New Mexico
6. Tennessee
7. Alabama
8. Nebraska
9. Florida
10. Arkansas

Launched six flu seasons ago, the Walgreens Flu Index is an online, interactive tool to view flu activity across markets and states in the U.S., including Puerto Rico. Each week, we analyze prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza across thousands of 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.

A new feature of the Walgreens Flu Index for the 2019-2020 season allows you to see how current flu activity compares to last season. November data shows southern states are experiencing more widespread flu activity this year. Index levels are significantly higher in Louisiana, Nevada, Texas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee compared to this time last year.

The only thing predictable about the flu is that it’s unpredictable. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to protect yourself and loved ones is by getting a flu shot every season, ideally before the flu starts to spread in your community. But now is as good a time as any-flu season can extend into the spring season.

Where to Find the Walgreens Flu Index

Weekly reports of the Walgreens Flu Index are 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 the latest report, click here. In addition, monthly updates will be published to the Walgreens Newsroom.

What’s Our 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 incidence 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.

To learn more about the flu vaccine, visit Walgreens.com/flu or talk to your local Walgreens pharmacist. Patients can also contact pharmacy professionals 24/7 through Pharmacy Chat available on Walgreens.com and the mobile app.

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), a global leader in retail and wholesale pharmacy. Walgreens is proud to be a neighborhood health, beauty and retail destination supporting communities across the country, and was named to FORTUNE* magazine’s 2019 Companies that Change the World list. Approximately 8 million customers interact with Walgreens in stores and online each day. As of August 31, 2019, Walgreens operates 9,277 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. Walgreens also provides specialty pharmacy and mail services and offers in-store clinics and other health care services throughout the United States, most of which are operated by our health care strategic partners.

*© 2019, Fortune Media IP Limited. Used under license.

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