The Daily Gimmick: Flu Shot Gift Cards (WAG)

We often have many features we run when we see odd news or quirky news.  This one takes the cake, even if it might not be a ground-breaking event.  Walgreen Co. (NYSE: WAG) spent its corporate money today by issuing a press release that announced it is offering a flu shot gift card.

Here is the take…. Walgreens notes in its release: “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only one flu shot will be required this season for protection against both H1N1 and seasonal flu. Each year, flu vaccine is manufactured to protect against the three viruses or flu strains that research suggests will be most common. The 2010-2011 vaccine will protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus, an influenza A H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus.”

Maybe this is one way of trying to keep flu shot sales higher now that the public gets an all-in-one cocktail.

The company noted that this may help those “who might not otherwise take the initiative to get a flu shot.”  The $29.99 card is being sold at all of the 7,500+ stores in America and will soon be available on its website for a flu shot at any Walgreens or Take Care Clinic.

That’s a hell of a birthday or Christmas present.  It’s also a gimmick.  This could have just as easily been free condoms for each person’s 18th birthday.

There is another thought on this too… Is this Healthcare Reform or is it a healthcare subsidy.  If Walgreens was really smart they’d go send some lobbyists to force “the rich folks” making $250,000 and higher go buy one of these for those who won’t do it for themselves.

JON C. OGG