Walgreens Launches Flu Index™ for 2018-2019 Season

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- With holiday travel around the corner and flu activity on the rise in many parts of the country, Walgreens today launched its first Flu Index™ for the 2018-2019 flu season. The Walgreens Flu Index, now in its fifth season, is a weekly report ranking the top markets and states for flu activity in the U.S., including Puerto Rico. It also ranks the top markets and states showing the largest increases in activity week over week.

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Walgreens Flu Index for Week Ending December 8, 2018. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Developed as a timely, local resource for consumers, health officials and the media to track flu activity in their community, the Walgreens Flu Index is compiled using the drugstore chain’s retail prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza across thousands of Walgreens and Duane Reade locations nationwide. It continues to serve as an important reminder to take preventive measures, such as receiving a flu shot, to stay healthy throughout the flu season.

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 of 12/08/2018

1. Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas
2. El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.)
3. Montgomery-Selma, Ala.
4. Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
5. Puerto Rico
6. Lincoln & Hastings-Kearney, Neb.
7. Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas
8. Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
9. Monterey-Salinas, Calif.
10. Houston, Texas

Top 10 States with Flu Activity
Week of 12/08/2018

1. Puerto Rico
2. Texas
3. Tennessee
4. Oklahoma
5. Florida
6. Nebraska
7. New Mexico
8. Kentucky
9. Wyoming
10. Alabama

Top 10 DMAs with Flu Activity Gains
Week of 12/08/2018

1. Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas
2. El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.)
3. Montgomery-Selma, Ala.
4. Lincoln & Hastings-Kearney, Neb.
5. Puerto Rico
6. Monroe, La.-El Dorado, Ark.
7. Yakima-Pasco-Richland-Kennewick, Wash.
8. Monterey-Salinas, Calif.
9. Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
10. Lansing, Mich.

Top 10 States with Flu Activity Gains
Week of 12/08/2018

1. Puerto Rico
2. Nebraska
3. Wyoming
4. Colorado
5. New Mexico
6. Georgia
7. Florida
8. Tennessee
9. South Carolina
10. Texas

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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