Walgreens today launched its first Flu Index™ for the 2017-18 season, a weekly report that ranks the top markets and states for flu activity in the U.S., including Puerto Rico. Brownsville and Beaumont, Texas are among the top markets for flu this week, and Texas and Arkansas top the list of U.S. states with the most flu activity.

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Walgreens Flu Index for the Week Ending Dec. 2, 2017 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Walgreens Flu Index for the Week Ending Dec. 2, 2017 (Graphic: Business Wire)

Now in its fourth year, the Walgreens Flu Index is compiled using the drugstore chain’s weekly retail prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza across Walgreens and Duane Reade locations nationwide, and Walgreens locations in Puerto Rico. In addition to the top markets and states for activity, the Flu Index also ranks the markets and states experiencing the greatest gains in activity on a week-over-week basis. As flu cases continue to increase across the U.S. just as the holiday travel season approaches, the Flu Index underscores the importance of taking preventive measures, such as receiving a flu shot, to help stay healthy throughout the season.

“Each flu season is unique and unpredictable, which is why we developed the Flu Index four years ago to help our customers, health officials and local news media stay up-to-date on flu activity in their community,” said Dorothy Chrzaszcz, PharmD, director of immunizations at Walgreens. “The Flu Index leverages data from nearly 8,000 locations across the U.S. each week, and can serve as a trusted resource and indicator of activity, reminding people of the importance of flu prevention.”

To view this week’s Walgreens Flu Index, maps and other online features, including the ability to search by market name or state, click http://arcg.is/1Ozgmut.

Top 10 DMAs* with Flu Activity
Week of 12/02/2017

  1. Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas
  2. Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas
  3. Tyler-Longview (Lufkin & Nacogdoches), Texas
  4. Corpus Christi, Texas
  5. Houston, Texas
  6. Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Ark.
  7. Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas
  8. Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
  9. San Antonio, Texas
  10. Ft. Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark.

Top 10 States with Flu Activity
Week of 12/02/2017

  1. Texas
  2. Arkansas
  3. Tennessee
  4. West Virginia
  5. Wyoming
  6. North Carolina
  7. Nebraska
  8. Iowa
  9. Oklahoma
  10. Idaho

Top 10 DMAs with Flu Activity Gains
Week of 12/02/2017

  1. Corpus Christi, Texas
  2. Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas
  3. Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas
  4. Ft. Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark.
  5. El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.)
  6. Austin, Texas
  7. Charlotte, N.C.
  8. Nashville, Tenn.
  9. Tri-Cities, Tenn.-Va.
  10. Cedar Rapids-Waterloo-Iowa City & Dubuque, Iowa

Top 10 States with Flu Activity Gains
Week of 12/02/2017

  1. Arkansas
  2. West Virginia
  3. Tennessee
  4. Texas
  5. Nebraska
  6. North Carolina
  7. South Dakota
  8. Iowa
  9. Wisconsin
  10. Puerto Rico

The Index is not intended to illustrate levels or severity of flu activity, but rather, based on this methodology, to show which populations are experiencing the highest incidences of influenza within the U.S. and Puerto Rico each week.

Data for the Walgreens Flu Index 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 10 retail locations.

*Designated Market Area

About Walgreens

Walgreens (walgreens.com), a provider of trusted care in communities since 1901, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. Approximately 8 million customers interact with Walgreens in stores and online each day, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens operates 8,100 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with its omnichannel business, Walgreens.com. Approximately 400 Walgreens stores offer Healthcare Clinic or other provider retail clinic services.