CVS to Give Away Up to $5 Million in Flu Shots for the Uninsured

CVS Caremark Corp. announced on Wednesday that it will give away up to $5 million in seasonal flu vaccinations to Americans without health insurance. The company said that vouchers for the vaccines will be available at clinics or community health centers beginning September 20.

Consumers will be able to redeem the vouchers at any of CVS' 7,100 locations and its retail MinuteClinics. Nams of participating clinics will also be announced on September 20.

The vaccine this year provides immunications for the 2009 strain of swine flu as well as influenza B and H2N2 flu. Most of the shots will be those provided by Novartis AG, and the rest will come Sanofi-Aventis AS's Vaxserve unit.

CVS normally sells the flu shot for $29.95.

Last year, CVS gave away 100,000 free flu shots, or about $3 million worth.