Two Edgewater Grocery Stores Offer Flu Shots

EDGEWATER, MD — Two grocery stores will serve Edgewater with influenza immunizations this year. The pharmacies at Safeway and Giant Foods will offer the vaccine throughout the flu season.

Neither grocer requires an appointment. Most insurances, including Medicare, cover the full cost of the shot, meaning a copay usually isn't required.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says getting an influenza vaccine is especially important this year. A swath of flu hospitalizations paired with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic could overwhelm the medical system, the CDC warns.

"COVID-19 has presented challenges that we have not encountered before," Paul Zvaleny, Giant Food Director of Pharmacy Operations, said in a press release. "Medical professionals around the world advise that getting the annual your flu shot is of vital importance to your health and wellness during this global pandemic."

Every patient who receives a flu vaccine at a Giant pharmacy will also get a free screening to determine if they are missing any other shots.

Giant practices the following social distancing measures:

• The store encourages shoppers and staff to maintain a 6-foot distance when possible.
• Clear partitions separate patrons from workers behind checkout, customer service and pharmacy counters.
• Customers who are immunocompromised or aged 60 and up can shop or head to the pharmacy in the store's designated senior hour everyday from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.
• Customers can have their prescriptions delivered to their car when they park in one of the Giant Direct spaces out front.
• Seniors can also have their medications sent straight to their doorstep with Giant's free UPS delivery.

Here are the address, phone number and pharmacy hours of the participating Giant:

Safeway will give its immunization patients a coupon for 10 percent off their next grocery purchase.

The supermarket follows these coronavirus safety measures:

• Pharmacy staff all wear masks and gloves
• A clear partition separates customers and the workers behind the pharmacy counter.
• Wellness rooms are regularly sanitized and cleaned between patients.
• All shoppers are required to wear masks in Safeway stores.
• Social distancing signs mark waiting areas, with hand sanitizer available at all touchpoints.
• Flu vaccine recipients will be prescreened for coronavirus symptoms.
• Customers who are immunocompromised or aged 60 can shop or head to the pharmacy in the store's designated senior hours every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Along with offering walk-in flu vaccines, Safeway will also host several immunization clinics in the coming weeks. The address, phone number, pharmacy hours and clinic information for the Edgewater Safeway are posted below:

Young children, pregnant woman, those with chronic health conditions and people older than 65 are the populations most likely to catch serious cases of the flu. The seasonal influenza spreads throughout the country between October and May through coughs, sneezes and close contacts.

"Safeway pharmacies are stocked with vaccines and are ready to safely administer flu shots to help safeguard our communities," the store said in a press release.

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