Americares and Walgreens Launch Flu Shot Campaign for the Uninsured

Americares is partnering with Walgreens this fall to provide flu shots for the uninsured. Photo by Chris Williams/Americares

Stamford, Conn. – Sept. 10, 2019 – Americares Free Clinics and Walgreens are offering free flu shots to qualifying patients in October to help keep uninsured adults healthy this flu season. Now in its fifth year, the collaboration annually vaccinates nearly 1,000 Fairfield County residents who cannot afford a flu shot. 

“By providing free flu shots to qualifying patients, we can help prevent the spread of influenza in vulnerable communities,” said Americares Free Clinics Director of Volunteer Services and Community Outreach Terri McCartney. “Together with Walgreens, we are helping more Connecticut residents stay healthy this flu season.”

The flu shots will be available to eligible residents age 18 and over during walk-in clinics scheduled throughout October at the Americares Free Clinics in Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk and Stamford. Immunizations will be administered by Walgreens pharmacists, and offered on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last.

The annual Americares-Walgreens flu clinic collaboration is part of a national program organized by Walgreens to make the flu vaccine available to those without health insurance coverage or for those who are unable to afford a flu shot. 

The best way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated every year, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated. Seasonal influenza can lead to serious illness, hospitalization and even death. Young children, the elderly and adults with underlying medical conditions are most at risk. The CDC estimates influenza vaccinations prevented approximately 7.1 million illnesses, 3.7 million medical visits and nearly 109,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations during the 2017-2018 flu season.  

Flu clinic dates and times: 

Danbury 

Tuesday, October 8, Tuesday, October 15 & Tuesday, October 22 

4 to 8 p.m.  

Boehringer Ingelheim Americares Free Clinic  

76 West St., Danbury 

203.748.6188 

Bridgeport

 Wednesday, October 9

3 to 6 p.m.

Saturday, October 19 

9 a.m. to noon 

Fred Weisman Americares Free Clinic  

115 Highland Ave., Bridgeport  

203.333.9175 

Norwalk 

Wednesday, October 9 & Wednesday, October 16 

4 to 7 p.m. 

 Bob Macauley Americares Free Clinic  

98 South Main St., Norwalk  

203.899.2493 

Stamford 

Tuesday, October 8 

5 to 8 p.m.

Building One Community  

75 Selleck St., Stamford  

Tuesday, October 15 

4 to 7 p.m. 

Americares Free Clinic  

401 Shippan Ave., Stamford  

203.658.9507

About Americares Free Clinics  

The Americares Free Clinics provide quality health care to low-income, uninsured patients in a setting where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Since 1994, our clinics in Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk and Stamford have helped more than 26,000 Connecticut residents receive free health care services valued at $94 million. For more information, go to www.americaresfreeclinics.org or call 203.658.9500.