Governor Quinn Visits Flagship Walgreens Store in Chicago to Receive Annual Seasonal Flu Shot

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today received his annual flu shot and reminded people across Illinois of the importance of this annual vaccination. The Governor's flu shot was administered by a pharmacist at the Walgreens flagship store in Chicago, and today's event is part of his agenda to improve the health and well-being of the people of Illinois.

"A flu shot is an easy way to protect yourself and your loved ones during flu season," Governor Quinn said. "I encourage everyone to get to their nearest Walgreens or local pharmacy as soon as possible to get a flu shot and help ensure they stay healthy in the coming months."

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recommends that everyone six months of age and older get vaccinated for influenza every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates more than 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized each year and that there are potentially tens of thousands of flu-associated deaths annually. Approximately 784 influenza-related admissions were reported in Illinois hospital ICUs during the 2013-2014 flu season, resulting in 100 deaths.

Flu symptoms may include a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, headache, body aches, exhaustion, chills and weakness. The influenza virus can be spread through coughing or sneezing or by touching objects carrying the virus, such as telephones and door knobs, and then touching your mouth or nose. Public health officials recommend that in addition to getting a flu shot, it is important to practice "the 3 Cs": Clean: properly wash your hands; Cover: cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze; and Contain: contain your germs by staying home if you are sick.

Young children, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions and the elderly are at a higher risk of complications from influenza. Side effects from influenza vaccination are typically mild, such as mild flu-like symptoms for a few days after vaccination or soreness at the injection site.

Today's event marked the final day of the flu shot portion of "Get a Shot. Give a Shot," an international immunizations campaign between Walgreens and the United Nations Foundation's Shot@Life. Under the partnership, for every flu shot or other vaccine administered at Walgreens locations, a child in need will receive a life-saving vaccine. Walgreens has expanded "Give a Shot. Get a Shot" into a year-round initiative and will continue to donate a vaccine for every non-flu, CDC-recommended immunization received at a Walgreens pharmacy after Oct. 13.

The United Nations Foundation's Shot@Life campaign partners with companies like Walgreens to provide children in developing countries with life-saving vaccinations against diseases like pneumonia, measles and polio. One in five children worldwide lack access to vital life-saving vaccines.

For more information about the seasonal flu shot and staying healthy, visit www.idph.state.il.us/flu/vaccine.htm. For more information about the Shot@Life Campaign, visit shotatlife.org. For more information about Walgreens' "Get a Shot. Give a Shot" campaign in support of Shot@Life and the UN Foundation, visit walgreens.com/topic/shotatlife.jsp.