Walgreen Boots Stock Price, News & Analysis

Walgreens is enhancing the holiday shopping experience with extended store hours and convenient services. Many stores are open until midnight until Christmas Eve, with regular hours on Christmas Day. Customers can utilize the Pickup service for same-day collection of over 27,000 items in as little as 30 minutes. Walgreens also offers same-day delivery through partnerships with Postmates and DoorDash. With almost 80% of Americans living within five miles of a Walgreens, the company aims to meet last-minute shopping needs effectively.

Walgreens has initiated the administration of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine at long-term care facilities, marking a significant first in its history. This effort is part of the CDC’s Pharmacy Partnership for Long-term Care Program, focusing on delivering vaccines to approximately 800 facilities across 12 states starting the week of December 21. Walgreens aims to serve nearly 3 million residents and staff at 35,000 facilities. The company is collaborating with federal and state entities to expedite vaccine distribution, while also providing essential medical services throughout the pandemic.

Walgreens is poised to administer COVID-19 vaccines following FDA's emergency use authorization for Pfizer's vaccine. With partnerships involving nearly 35,000 long-term care facilities, Walgreens aims to prioritize vulnerable populations, including healthcare workers and facility residents. The company is prepared to leverage its extensive network of over 9,000 stores and collaborate with federal and state governments to facilitate vaccine distribution. Walgreens' mission emphasizes community health, positioning it as a leader in the vaccination effort against COVID-19.

Walgreens has launched its Flu Index® for the 2020-2021 season, a tool to track flu activity and promote vaccination during National Influenza Vaccination Week (Dec. 6-12). With a surge in COVID-19 cases, health experts stress the importance of flu shots. The index shows low flu activity overall for November, with Texas communities leading in flu cases. Walgreens' Chief Medical Officer emphasized that flu shots are essential to alleviate healthcare system strain during the pandemic. The Flu Index updates weekly and ranks flu activity in markets across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) announced the retirement of Executive VP and Global Chief Human Resources Officer Kathleen Wilson-Thompson, effective January. Pamela Puryear, Ph.D., will succeed her, bringing extensive experience from Zimmer Biomet and Pfizer. Wilson-Thompson is recognized for her pivotal HR leadership during the pandemic and in promoting racial equity. Puryear aims to enhance WBA's HR strategy focusing on culture and employee experience as the company pursues its digital future.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (Nasdaq: WBA) plans to launch 40 new Village Medical at Walgreens clinics by summer 2021, expanding its primary care services in Houston, El Paso, Austin, Phoenix, and Orlando. This initiative follows the successful launch of five clinics in Houston, which received high satisfaction ratings. The clinics will provide comprehensive primary care integrated with pharmacy services to improve patient health outcomes while being accessible to underserved communities. The partnership aims to establish 500 to 700 clinics across over 30 U.S. markets in five years.

Walgreens Boots Alliance (Nasdaq: WBA) will participate in the 2nd Annual Wolfe Research Healthcare Conference on November 19 at 1:10 p.m. Eastern time. Co-COO Alex Gourlay and CFO James Kehoe will represent the company.

The virtual event will be accessible via the company's investor relations website. WBA is a global leader in pharmacy and has over 21,000 stores across more than 25 countries, employing over 450,000 individuals. The company, recognized for its healthcare contributions, aims to promote healthier lives globally.