A steady line began forming at 5 p.m. Wednesday night at a corner of the dining room of St. Vincent de Paul’s main campus where a group of four Walgreens representatives made sure everyone who wanted to would get a free flu shot. It marked the first of five planned flu shots clinics at our dining rooms.
The clinics are part of a comprehensive relationship between SVdP and Walgreens. The partnership, which is in its first year, has produced a health fair clinic and a month-long sales roundup at 40 stores in metro Phoenix.
“We are trying to introduce (Walgreens’) clinical services while benefiting our population,” said Todd Cooley, SVdP’s head of community and donor relations. “We want to reach as many people as possible.”
In fact, Todd said he hopes the partnership will expand to multiple districts and eventually become statewide. Monday night, as he stood watching the steady stream of people getting their shots and he walked around the dining room encouraging others to get them, Todd said he was more than happy with the outcome of the first clinic.
The entire Vasquez family was among those who took advantage of this opportunity. Rosa said she, her husband Carlos and their two kids are regulars at the dining room and have benefited from SVdP clinic services in the past.
“It’s great that they are giving them out,” she said. “We usually go through tough times in the fall and winter because my husband and kids have allergies, so getting the flu on top of that makes things really difficult.”
Monday marked the first time the family received a flu shot. Carlos said he could not be more grateful.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have any insurance so we would not have access to the flu shots any other way,” he said. “We thank the Society wholeheartedly.”
We are thankful for Walgreens’ partnership and help to keep our families healthy throughout flu season.
Free Flu Shot Clinic Dates:
Sept. 3 at 5 p.m. at the Family Dining Room (Main Campus)
Sept. 10 at noon at the Sunnyslope Dining Room
Sept. 17 at noon at the Mesa Dining Room
Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. at the Family Dining Room (Main Campus)
