COVID boosters, flu shots available during Walmart Wellness Day

As flu season approaches and COVID-19 continues to infect — and re-infect — people throughout the islands, Walmart is offering a chance for Big Island residents to protect themselves.

The Hilo and Kailua-Kona Walmart locations will join the other eight stores throughout Hawai‘i and more than 4,600 stores nationwide this weekend to host Wellness Day. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, customers can receive affordable immunizations for flu, pneumonia, shingles, human papillomavirus (HPV), tetanus, hepatitis, measles, mumps, whooping cough and others at Walmart pharmacies. COVID bivalent boosters will also be available for free.

“As we move into the fall and winter seasons, we want to do our part in helping families remain protected through immunizations,” Kevin Host, Walmart’s senior vice president of pharmacy, said in a press release. “Wellness Day is such an impactful event because it allows customers an opportunity to check in on health priorities, meet our incredible pharmacists and engage in conversations around wellness. Along with our pharmacies, we also deliver care through Walmart Health Virtual Care and Walmart Health Centers, which highlights our commitment to improving access to quality, affordable health care.”

Walmart Wellness Day events will also feature wellness resources and the opportunity to talk with pharmacists, demonstrations, giveaways and product sampling in select stores.

As children return to school this fall and adults resume normal activities, immune systems could be exposed to germs and viruses they haven’t battled since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Walmart Wellness Day encourages families to stay updated on immunizations, connect with local pharmacists and take advantage of free wellness resources.

Walmart pharmacies have hosted Walmart Wellness Days since 2004, administering more than 5 million health screenings for customers. For more information, click here.