I finally bit the bullet and went to a pharmacy for a flu shot last year. My arm didn’t fall off, I didn’t get the flu, and I’ll probably go back again this year for another one.
Walmart is glad. Continuing its push into the healthcare market, Walmart Stores, Inc. is expanding its immunization offerings in the U.S. to help lift revenue “to levels it is achieving outside the U.S.,” by adding flu and pneumonia shots to its current repertoire of eight inoculations against common infectious diseases, according to a story by Angelo Young.
Executives made the right decision – the healthcare business is already a significant contributor to revenue, accounting for 11 percent of last year's $264 billion in net sales, Young reported.
But Wal-Mart isn’t happy with that, especially since it’s doing far better in sales overseas than domestically, with U.S. sales increasing only 3.8 percent, compared to 6.4 percent overseas.
But the company’s idea to pump up sales here – add flu and pneumonia vaccinations – will begin Monday. Walmart already offers immunizations it now offers for hepatitis A and B, chickenpox, HPV, shingles, MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), meningitis and tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, in the U.S., Young said in his story.
This is not the giant chain’s first foray into healthcare. In 2006, the retailer had great success with a $4 generic-drug program.
Nurses will administer the shots in approximately 2,700 Walmart stores, overseen by Mollen Immunization Clinics of Scottsdale, Ariz., to handle the registered nurses that will administer the shots. They will be given until Nov. 15, according to Young.
"Many adults are not up to date with recommended life-saving immunizations. Vaccinations may not be top-of-mind while the weather is still warm, but they are a critical part of public health, especially in light of recent outbreaks of whooping cough and shingles," as John Aqwunobi, M.D., president of Walmart U.S. health and wellness and former U.S. assistant secretary for health, told Young.
Walmart is not alone in this market. Walgreens and CVS have been offering flu and pneumonia shots for several years.
Edited by
Braden Becker
