Walgreens Launches “Don’t Get Benched by the Flu” Campaign in New York City as Flu Activity Rises Ahead of Winter Season
Walgreens is expanding its seasonal flu prevention awareness efforts with the launch of its “Don’t Get Benched by the Flu” campaign at Herald Square in New York City. The initiative aims to encourage individuals and families to prioritize their health, receive their annual flu vaccinations and take preventive steps before influenza activity increases further in their communities.
The campaign brings an interactive, basketball-themed experience to one of New York City’s busiest public locations. Through this activation, Walgreens is combining public engagement, seasonal health education and convenient vaccination services to remind people about the importance of preparing for flu season.
The company will introduce a larger-than-life bench experience at Herald Square from 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET, ahead of evening basketball games featuring New York City’s hometown teams. The activation is designed to connect flu prevention with basketball culture and encourage people to think about the everyday activities they could miss if they become sick.
Visitors attending the event will have opportunities to take photographs, participate in basketball-related activities, receive promotional giveaways and book a flu vaccination appointment through Walgreens.
The campaign is intended to make flu prevention more approachable by presenting vaccination as a simple step that people can take before the season becomes more active. By bringing the message into a popular public gathering space, Walgreens hopes to reach individuals who may otherwise delay their annual vaccinations because of busy schedules or competing priorities.
The initiative also reflects the company’s broader efforts to use its pharmacy network and community outreach activities to improve awareness of seasonal respiratory illnesses and encourage preventive healthcare.
Walgreens Partners With Jordyn Woods to Promote Flu Prevention
As part of the campaign, Walgreens has partnered with Jordyn Woods, an entrepreneur and personality associated with New York basketball culture, to encourage individuals to prioritize their health during the flu season.Through this partnership, Woods will help communicate the importance of planning ahead and taking preventive measures before influenza activity increases.
The campaign uses basketball as a central theme to connect with audiences through familiar experiences, including attending games, spending time with family, traveling and participating in everyday activities.The message behind “Don’t Get Benched by the Flu” highlights how becoming sick can interrupt personal plans and prevent people from participating in important moments.
Woods emphasized that maintaining her health is important because of her busy schedule and the activities she wants to enjoy throughout the season.“This season of life means a lot of busy nights and moments I don’t want to miss, so getting my flu shot is one way I’m staying prepared,” said Jordyn Woods.
She also highlighted the importance of vaccination as a practical preventive step for people who want to remain active during the winter months.“Whether it’s a big game, time with family or just keeping up with everyday life, no one wants to get benched by the flu. Getting vaccinated at Walgreens is a simple step you can take now to help you stay in the game all season,” Woods added.
The partnership is intended to make seasonal vaccination messaging more relatable, particularly for people who may not always prioritize preventive healthcare during busy periods.By working with a recognizable personality connected to basketball culture, Walgreens is using an entertainment and sports-oriented approach to communicate a public health message.
Early Flu Activity Signals the Need for Vaccination
One of the primary reasons behind the campaign is the increase in early indicators of influenza activity during the 2026-2027 flu season.According to early data from the 2026-2027 Walgreens Flu Index, influenza activity appears to be increasing earlier than it has in recent years.
The company’s data provides an indication of changing flu-related activity through prescription trends across its pharmacy network.For the week ending October 24, 2026, Walgreens dispensed four times more flu antiviral prescriptions than during the corresponding period in the previous year.
This increase represents an important indicator of growing demand for influenza-related treatments and suggests that the flu season may be getting underway earlier than expected.Although antiviral prescription trends do not represent a complete measurement of influenza infections across the population, they can provide useful insight into changing patterns of demand for flu-related healthcare services.
Walgreens is using these early indicators to encourage individuals not to wait until influenza activity reaches higher levels before considering vaccination.With winter approaching, the company is emphasizing the importance of taking preventive action early.
People who delay vaccination may have less opportunity to develop protection before exposure to the influenza virus increases in their communities.The campaign therefore focuses on encouraging individuals to schedule their vaccinations as soon as possible rather than postponing the decision until later in the season.
Why Timing Matters for Flu Vaccination
Walgreens is highlighting the importance of vaccination timing as part of its seasonal awareness campaign.Following influenza vaccination, the immune system generally requires approximately two weeks to develop antibodies that provide protection against the virus.
This means that receiving a flu vaccine before influenza activity increases can help individuals build protection ahead of periods when exposure may become more common.The timing is particularly relevant during the fall and winter months, when people may spend more time indoors, attend social gatherings, travel and participate in large public events.
These activities can create additional opportunities for respiratory viruses to spread.By encouraging early vaccination, Walgreens aims to help people prepare before seasonal influenza activity reaches its peak.The company is also reminding individuals that vaccination is an important preventive measure for protecting not only themselves but also people around them.
Older adults, young children, pregnant individuals and people with certain underlying health conditions may face a greater risk of developing serious complications from influenza.Preventive measures, including vaccination and appropriate hygiene practices, can contribute to reducing the impact of seasonal respiratory illnesses.Walgreens is positioning its pharmacy network as an accessible option for people seeking seasonal vaccination services.
Walgreens Leadership Emphasizes Community Health Protection
Rick Gates, Chief Pharmacy and Enterprise External Affairs Officer at Walgreens, highlighted the importance of acting early as influenza activity begins increasing.“Flu season is off to an earlier start, and our data is showing why it’s important not to wait to get vaccinated,” Gates said.
He also emphasized that vaccination can help people protect their health while continuing to participate in important activities throughout the season.
“Whether you’re cheering on your favorite team, traveling for the holidays or gathering with family, a flu shot is one of the best ways to help protect your health and avoid missing the moments that matter. With Walgreens pharmacies in communities across the country, we’re making it easier to take that important step,” he added.
Gates’ comments reflect Walgreens’ focus on combining preventive healthcare awareness with accessible pharmacy services.The company operates pharmacies across communities throughout the United States, providing customers with access to prescription medications, vaccinations and other healthcare services.
Through its nationwide presence, Walgreens aims to make seasonal immunization more convenient for individuals who may have difficulty scheduling appointments through traditional healthcare settings.The company is also using its Flu Index data to inform public awareness activities and communicate changing patterns in seasonal respiratory illness.
By connecting pharmacy data with community-based outreach, Walgreens hopes to encourage more people to take preventive action before influenza activity increases further.
Multiple Flu Vaccine Options Available at Walgreens
As part of its seasonal vaccination services, Walgreens offers several influenza vaccine options to accommodate different patient needs and age groups.The available options include standard-dose influenza vaccines and higher-dose vaccines.
Higher-dose flu vaccines are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for adults aged 65 and older as part of its guidance for influenza vaccination.Older adults may face a greater risk of severe complications from influenza because immune responses can become less effective with age.
The availability of different vaccine formulations allows healthcare professionals to consider appropriate options based on a patient’s age, health circumstances and current vaccination recommendations.Walgreens has also introduced a new mRNA flu vaccine at select locations.
Messenger RNA (mRNA) technology uses genetic instructions to help the body produce an immune response against a targeted pathogen.The availability of an mRNA-based influenza vaccine adds another option to the company’s seasonal vaccine offerings.
However, availability may vary depending on the pharmacy location and applicable eligibility requirements.Individuals interested in receiving a flu vaccine can contact their local Walgreens pharmacy to confirm which formulations are available and determine the most appropriate option based on current medical recommendations.
The company encourages patients to consult healthcare professionals if they have questions about vaccine eligibility, potential side effects or which vaccine formulation may be appropriate for them.
Basketball-Themed Activation Brings Preventive Healthcare Into the Community
The Herald Square activation represents an effort by Walgreens to take its healthcare awareness message beyond traditional pharmacy settings.By creating an interactive basketball-themed experience, the company aims to engage people in a familiar public environment and encourage them to consider vaccination as part of their seasonal preparations.
The larger-than-life bench is designed to represent the idea of being sidelined by illness.Visitors can participate in activities such as shooting basketball hoops, taking photographs and collecting promotional giveaways.
The activation also provides an opportunity for attendees to book flu vaccination appointments through Walgreens.This approach connects public engagement with access to preventive healthcare services.
Rather than relying exclusively on traditional advertising or informational materials, Walgreens is using an experience-based campaign to attract attention and encourage participation.
The timing of the event, ahead of evening basketball games involving New York teams, further connects the initiative with local sports culture.Basketball games and other major sporting events bring people together, making them relevant settings for communicating messages about health and prevention.
The campaign’s central message is that illness can interrupt important activities, whether they involve professional commitments, family gatherings, travel or entertainment.By encouraging vaccination before flu activity increases, Walgreens wants people to take action that may help reduce their risk of influenza-related illness.
Walgreens Continues Its Focus on Seasonal Respiratory Health
The “Don’t Get Benched by the Flu” initiative forms part of Walgreens’ broader efforts to promote seasonal respiratory health and encourage preventive care.Influenza remains an important public health concern in the United States, with seasonal outbreaks contributing to healthcare visits, hospitalizations and missed work and school days.
Pharmacies play an important role in seasonal vaccination programs because they provide convenient access to immunization services across many communities.Walgreens’ pharmacy network allows the company to connect patients with vaccination opportunities while providing information about available preventive healthcare options.
The company’s Flu Index also offers an additional way to monitor changes in flu-related activity through its prescription data.
The early 2026-2027 indicators, including the reported fourfold increase in flu antiviral prescriptions for the week ending October 24 compared with the same period last year, have prompted Walgreens to emphasize the importance of early preparation.The company is encouraging individuals to consider vaccination before the winter season becomes more active and to avoid unnecessary delays.
Helping People Stay Active Throughout the Flu Season
Through its partnership with Jordyn Woods, its interactive activation in Herald Square and its nationwide pharmacy network, Walgreens is bringing together community engagement and preventive healthcare awareness.The campaign highlights a straightforward message: taking steps to protect personal health before influenza activity increases can help people prepare for the months ahead.
For individuals, vaccination is an important part of seasonal flu prevention. For families and communities, wider participation in recommended vaccination programs can contribute to reducing the impact of influenza.Walgreens is encouraging customers to take advantage of its available vaccination services and discuss appropriate vaccine options with healthcare professionals.
As the 2026-2027 flu season begins showing early signs of increased activity, the company is focusing on making vaccination more accessible and reminding people that preventive healthcare should not be postponed.With its “Don’t Get Benched by the Flu” campaign, Walgreens aims to encourage individuals to prioritize their health, protect those around them and remain ready for the important moments throughout the winter season.
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