{"url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-21/walgreens-flu-index-2026-2027-launch","markdown_url":"https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-21/walgreens-flu-index-2026-2027-launch.md","title":"Walgreens Launches Flu Index as Activity Runs Four Weeks Ahead","headline":"Walgreens Launches 2026-2027 Flu Index as Activity Tracks Four Weeks Ahead of Recent Seasons","description":"Walgreens launched its 2026-2027 Flu Index, a weekly map scoring flu, COVID-19 and respiratory activity from 0 to 10 across more than 1,500 counties.","section":"Product Launches","published_at":"2026-10-21T16:52:02+00:00","modified_at":"2026-10-21T16:52:02+00:00","author":"News Desk","key_takeaways":["Walgreens launched the 2026-2027 Flu Index, updated weekly on Mondays with scores from 0 to 10 for each state and more than 1,500 counties.","National flu activity is tracking about four weeks ahead of recent seasons, with cases rising in many western states and Florida.","Walgreens is dispensing more flu antiviral prescriptions than in the same period last year and reports double-digit year-over-year increases in cold and flu medications, at-home tests, cough drops and tea."],"companies":[{"name":"Walgreens","is_primary":true,"profile_url":"https://akta.pro/company-profiles/00007jy/walgreens","website":"https://www.walgreens.com"}],"source":{"publisher":"PR Newswire","title":"Walgreens Launches 2026-2027 Flu Index as Activity Tracks Four Weeks Ahead of Recent Seasons","url":"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walgreens-launches-2026-2027-flu-index-as-activity-tracks-four-weeks-ahead-of-recent-seasons-302914774.html"},"other_sources":[],"tags":["Product Launches","Walgreens"],"body_markdown":"Walgreens launched the 2026-2027 Walgreens Flu Index on October 21, 2026, an interactive online tool that tracks flu, COVID-19 and other acute respiratory illness activity nationwide. The company said early data suggests flu activity is tracking approximately four weeks ahead of recent flu seasons. [PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walgreens-launches-2026-2027-flu-index-as-activity-tracks-four-weeks-ahead-of-recent-seasons-302914774.html) published the announcement.\n\n## How the Walgreens Flu Index Works\n\nThe [Walgreens](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/00007jy/walgreens) Flu Index updates weekly on Mondays and provides state- and county-level insights. It draws on Walgreens flu and COVID-19 testing data, prescription antivirals and over-the-counter cold and flu purchasing trends, and calculates a score ranging from 0 for lowest activity to 10 for highest activity. Scores are calculated weekly for each state and territory and for over 1,500 counties, and the index only covers markets where Walgreens has 10 locations or more.\n\nNationally, flu activity is tracking approximately four weeks ahead of recent flu seasons, with cases increasing across many western states and Florida. Walgreens is dispensing more flu antiviral prescriptions than during the same period last year, and sales data shows double-digit year-over-year increases in cold and flu medications, at-home COVID-19 and flu tests, cough drops and tea.\n\n\"Flu activity can vary significantly from one community to another, and knowing what's happening locally can make a real difference,\" said Rick Gates, Walgreens chief pharmacy & enterprise external affairs officer. \"The Walgreens Flu Index gives people timely information to make informed decisions about prevention, including getting vaccinated before flu becomes more widespread in their community.\"\n\nWalgreens offers standard-dose flu vaccines, higher-dose vaccines that the CDC recommends for patients 65 and older, and the new mRNA flu vaccine at select locations. Patients can walk in or schedule for up to four patients in advance at Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine, through the Walgreens app, by texting \"Flu\" to 66879 or by calling 1-800-WALGREENS. The company said it is increasing pharmacy staffing, expanding appointment availability and allowing patients to schedule further in advance. Patients who get a vaccine at Walgreens can earn $15 in Walgreens Cash rewards on their next eligible in-store purchase of $5 or more as a myWalgreens member, and members receive 10% back in Walgreens Cash rewards on eligible purchases for the next 30 days.\n\n## Walgreens' Recent Product Launches\n\nWalgreens has launched several products and partnerships in 2026, according to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data). In May 2026, it launched a new specialty pharma business with an innovation center focused on cell and gene services, expanding into higher-margin specialty drug distribution. In March 2026, it launched Walgreens Weight Management, a $49-per-visit digital service offering clinician-guided weight loss and GLP-1 medication access targeting self-pay adults in 28 states. Also in March 2026, Walgreens announced a nationwide Cologuard colorectal cancer screening initiative in partnership with Exact Sciences and Workflow Services, embedding pharmacist-led preventive care into store workflows.\n\n## Walgreens' Earlier Vaccine and Store Moves\n\nOn October 1, 2026, Walgreens said it would hold Seniors Day vaccine clinics on October 6, 2026, offering free flu, COVID-19, RSV, pneumococcal and shingles vaccines to adults 55 and older, with walk-ins welcome and clinics running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., PR Newswire reported. On September 28, 2026, Drug Store News reported that Walgreens is closing fewer stores than planned, with closures in multiple states including Washington, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin, some closing August 6. On September 25, 2026, The Seattle Times reported that a former Walgreens in Seattle's Lake City neighborhood, vacant for nearly three years, could become an emergency department and urgent care facility.\n","publisher":{"name":"News for Agent","url":"https://newsforagent.com"}}