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United Supermarkets Pharmacies Ready with Vaccine, Tips to Avoid the "Bug" As Flu Season Looms Around the Corner

But the harsh reality is flu season looms right around the corner, and the pharmacy teams at United Supermarkets, Market Street and Amigos United are already prepared to battle the flu bug when it makes its annual appearance.

All 43 of the company's pharmacy locations will have flu vaccinations available beginning Sept. 1. Many locations also will be carrying FluMist, a nasal vaccine indicated for persons between two and 49 years of age. United pharmacies under all three banners will file Medicare claims on behalf of Medicare Part B-eligible guests.

This year's flu shot and FluMist will include vaccination for the H1N1 (swine flu) strain which dominated the headlines just one year ago. Please check with your local United Pharmacy or visit www.unitedtexas.com/pharmacy/ for details.

An annual flu shot is the first - and best - step toward prevention, according to Tim Purser, business director of pharmacy for United Supermarkets, LLC. "Without question, the best way to prevent the flu is to get a seasonal flu vaccine," said Purser.

However, even with a flu shot, persons should take extra steps to help protect themselves and their families. Along those lines, Purser offers the following tips:

• Wash your hands often
  One of the most common ways people catch colds and the flu is by rubbing their nose or their eyes after their hands have been contaminated with a virus. Wash your hands often, especially:
  • before, during and after you prepare food
  • before you eat and after you use the restroom
  • after handling animals
  • when your hands are dirty
  • when someone in your home is ill
• Routinely disinfect surfaces with soap and water (including toys)
  It may also help to wipe surfaces with paper towels that can be thrown away or cloth towels that can be washed.
• Practice "cough etiquette"
  Turn your head and cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue or the inside of your elbow if you don't have a tissue. Coughing or sneezing onto your hands will spread germs to everything you touch.
• Use a reusable water bottle
  Avoid using public water fountains, which may become contaminated with germs, especially during cold and flu season.
• Avoid close contact with people when you are ill
  Don't go to work, school, daycare, etc., if you are ill with the flu.

For more information, contact the United Supermarkets Pharmacy Department at (888) 791-0220 or find the pharmacy location nearest you at www.unitedtexas.com/storelocator/.

About United Supermarkets

Now in its 94^th year of operation, United Supermarkets, LLC, is a Texas-based, family-owned grocery chain with stores in 30 markets across north and west Texas. A self-distributing company with its headquarters and distribution center in Lubbock, United currently operates 50 stores under three distinct formats: United Supermarkets, Market Street and Amigos United.

United Supermarkets, LLC
Eddie Owens, APR, 806-788-4863
Director of Corporate Communications
Cell: 806-928-0462