Walgreen Co. this week will start offering injectable and nasal vaccines for the H1N1 "swine flu" virus at more than 30 pharmacies and several Take Care health clinics in Chicago.

Illinois is one of 28 states in which Walgreens is currently offering H1N1 vaccinations, according to the company. The drug chain announced H1N1 immunization rollouts in Salt Lake City last month and in Louisiana earlier this week.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. this week plans to begin offering injectable and nasal vaccines for the H1N1 "swine flu" virus at more than 30 pharmacies and several Take Care health clinics in Chicago.

The drug store chain, which announced H1N1 immunization rollouts in Salt Lake City last month and in Louisiana earlier this week, said the vaccinations will be provided at the Chicago pharmacy and clinic locations starting on Friday. The vaccines cost $18 and, in Illinois, Walgreens pharmacists can administer H1N1 immunizations to those age 9 and older.

Illinois is one of 28 states in which Walgreens is currently offering H1N1 vaccinations, according to the company.

Walgreens noted that the Chicago Department of Public Health has recently waived priority group vaccination restrictions, making H1N1 vaccine available to all area residents who meet state age requirements.

The chain added that it working closely with city and Cook County health officials to serve as a distribution partner for the H1N1 vaccine and to provide information on H1N1 immunization to the community. Walgreens and its Take Care Health Systems subsidiary also plan to offer H1N1 vaccine at additional locations throughout the Chicago area as more supply becomes available.

"This flu season, Walgreens has truly demonstrated its role as a go-to, trusted resource for flu prevention and health care services throughout Illinois and nationwide," John Grant, Walgreens’ Chicago market vice president, said in a statement.

Walgreens noted that its pharmacies and Take Care clinics also offer pneumococcal vaccinations for $49.99. The drug store chain said that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the H1N1 virus can cause life-threatening pneumonia more commonly than seasonal flu and that pneumococcal infections have been identified as an important complication in severe and fatal cases of 2009 H1N1 virus infection.