County announces campaign to combat the flu in 2020

To reduce the threat of the flu in an era of COVID-19, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran today unveiled the Administration’s “Fight the Flu 2020” campaign at the Carle Place Stop & Shop, encouraging all Nassau County residents to get their flu shot as early as possible this fall.

The program underscores the importance of being immunized at a time when the nation’s health is particularly vulnerable due to the ongoing pandemic and hospitals are under stress.

The County Executive, Nassau County Health Commissioner Lawrence Eisenstein, and Chief of Infectious Diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, Dr. Aaron E. Glatt, were joined by Stop & Shop Pharmacists outside the Carle Place Stop & Shop pharmacy.

County Executive Curran stated, “Getting a flu vaccine is the best way to keep yourself healthy, while also ensuring our health care system has the capacity to treat those most in- need this flu season. Having undertaken sweeping measures to confront and contain COVID-19, Nassau County is asking every one of our residents to protect themselves, their neighbors, and their fellow citizens by acting responsibly and getting immunized. Do not delay, get your flu vaccination today.”

“It’s important to get a flu shot every year, but even more so now due to the convergence of both flu and the Coronavirus,” said Stop & Shop Regional Pharmacy Manager, Farrah Acerno. “Flu shots are extremely important this year and Stop & Shop has worked to ensure we have enough vaccinations available in all our pharmacies to meet demand.”

Also attending were numerous community leaders including: Domenic DiPrimo, the regional healthcare director at Walgreens /Duane Reade; Terray Gregoretti, the director of The Safe Center; Randi Shubin Dresner, the president and Chief Executive Officer of Island Harvest Food Bank; Bishop Lionel Harvey, of the First Baptist Cathedral of Westbury; and Joanne Robinson, the chief operating officer and managing director of The Inn.

The CDC suggests everyone 6 months and older receives a vaccination in advance of the flu season.
Stop & Shop is taking extensive health and safety precautions at its pharmacies and has secured additional stock of the flu vaccine, anticipating higher demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Customers will be required to wear face coverings, and pharmacists will be equipped with masks, gloves and face shields.
The immunization area will have strict disinfecting and sanitization measures in place between each patient.
Stop & Shop is well-stocked and offers immunizations without no appointment necessary.
While prices associated with vaccinations are dependent upon customers’ insurance plans, most end up being low or no-cost.
Stop & Shop can administer the nasal spray flu vaccine FluMist to those 2 years and up, and traditional intramuscular flu shot for those 3 years and up. No prescription is needed for either vaccine type.
Stop & Shop pharmacies also have an ample supply of shingles and pneumonia vaccines available.

Stop & Shop has 12 pharmacies throughout Nassau County. No appointment is needed for a flu shot and most immunizations are no-cost with insurance. Stop & Shop pharmacy locations in Nassau County include: