Flu shots now available at Kroger pharmacies

It's that time of year again: as summer ends and cooler temperatures start to set in (though that has yet to happen in 2016), flu shots start becoming available at many locations.

Starting on Tuesday, Kroger's 118 pharmacies in the Mid-Atlantic Region are now offering flu shots. This year, Kroger is donating one meal to Feeding America food banks for each flu shot that is administered.

Many insurance plans cover the cost of a flu shot through Kroger, and the store's pharmacy accepts Medicare.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends an annual flu shot for all people age 6 months and older.

For those who have seen many years since they were 6 months old, Kroger also offers Fluzone HD for every patient 65 years and older. Fluzone HD has better protection against influenza for patients 65 and older since it contains four times more antigen than the regular flu vaccine, said Chris Koon, Pharmacy manager for the Mid-Atlantic Region.

The shots are administered by certified pharmacists. No appointments are necessary at Kroger Pharmacies. All pharmacies are open every day, but the hours vary, so call your local Kroger pharmacy to check on its hours of operation. The pharmacies are located within Kroger stores in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and the eastern portions of Kentucky and Tennessee and southern Ohio.

Kroger pharmacies also provide on-site flu clinics for workplaces and businesses. For information about the Kroger workplace Flu program, visit the link in the 'Related Links' section of this article.