Walgreens Flu Index for Week of Nov. 28 to Dec. 5, 2014

The Walgreens Flu Index is a weekly report developed to provide state- and market-specific information regarding flu activity, and ranking of those experiencing the highest incidences of influenza across the country. With the ability to generate hyper-local data that’s as specific as a single zip code, the Index aims to drive consumer awareness and prevention within communities, while also serving as a valuable resource for health departments, media and others at the local level.

Top Ten DMAs with Flu Activity

Week Ending 12/5/2014

        
      
      
        
          1. Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, TX
        
      
      
        
          2. New Orleans, La.
        
      
      
        
          3. Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
        
      
      
        
          4. Chattanooga, Tenn.
        
      
      
        
          5. Tallahassee, Fla. – Thomasville, Ga.
        
      
      
        
          6. Houston, Texas
        
      
      
        
          7. Baton Rouge, La.
        
      
      
        
          8. St. Louis. Mo.
        
      
      
        
          9. Jackson, Miss.
        
      
      
        
          10. Mobile, Ala. – Pensacola (Ft. Walton Beach), Fla.
        
      
      
        
           
        
      
      
        
          

Top Ten DMAs Flu Activity Gains

From Week Ending 11/28/2014 to 12/5/2014

        
      
      
        
          1. Chattanooga, Tenn.
        
      
      
        
          2. Rockford, Ill.
        
      
      
        
          3. Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
        
      
      
        
          4. Baton Rouge, La.
        
      
      
        
          5. Mobile, Ala. – Pensacola (Ft. Walton Beach), Fla.
        
      
      
        
          6. Nashville, Tenn.
        
      
      
        
          7. Louisville, Ky.
        
      
      
        
          8. Jackson, Miss.
        
      
      
        
          9. Birmingham (Anniston and Tuscaloosa), Ala.
        
      
      
        
          10. St. Louis, Mo.
        
      
      
        
           
        
      
      
        
          

Top Ten States with Flu Activity

Week Ending 12/5/2014

        
      
      
        
          1. Louisiana
        
      
      
        
          2. Texas
        
      
      
        
          3. Mississippi
        
      
      
        
          4. Alabama
        
      
      
        
          5. Georgia
        
      
      
        
          6. Illinois
        
      
      
        
          7. Missouri
        
      
      
        
          8. Tennessee
        
      
      
        
          9. Florida
        
      
      
        
          10. Kentucky
        
      
      
        
           
        
      
      
        
          

Top Ten State Flu Activity Gains

From Week Ending 11/28/2014 to 12/5/2014

        
      
      
        
          1. Kentucky
        
      
      
        
          2. South Carolina
        
      
      
        
          3. Colorado
        
      
      
        
          4. Oklahoma
        
      
      
        
          5. Indiana
        
      
      
        
          6. North Carolina
        
      
      
        
          7. Florida
        
      
      
        
          8. Utah
        
      
      
        
          9. Kansas
        
      
      
        
          10. Delaware
        
      
      
        
           
        
      
    
    

Methodology

The Walgreens Flu Index is compiled using weekly retail prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza across Walgreens locations nationwide. The data 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 20 retail locations.

The Flu Index is not intended to illustrate levels or severity of flu activity, but rather, illustrate which populations are experiencing the highest incidence of flu.

About Walgreens

As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2014 sales of $76 billion, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) vision is to be America’s most loved pharmacy-led health, wellbeing and beauty enterprise. Each day, in communities across America, more than 8 million customers interact with Walgreens using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with online and mobile services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The company operates 8,229 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Walgreens digital business includes Walgreens.com, drugstore.com, Beauty.com, SkinStore.com and VisionDirect.com. Walgreens also manages more than 400 Healthcare Clinic and provider practice locations around the country.

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WalgreensJim Cohn, [phone]orKelli Hartsock, [phone]http://[e-mail]/Walgreens