Now in its fifth flu season, the Walgreens Flu Index was developed as a tool for consumers, health officials and the media to track flu activity in their area, and it continues to be an indicator of flu activity and important reminder to take preventive measures, such as receiving a flu shot, to stay healthy throughout the flu season.

The Walgreens Flu Index is compiled using the drugstore chain’s weekly retail prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza across Walgreens and Duane Reade locations nationwide. In addition to the top markets and states, the Flu Index also ranks the markets and states experiencing the greatest gains in activity on a week-over-week basis.

The weekly report is also available through an online, interactive map, which allows anyone to search and find information regarding the most current state of influenza in their community. To view this week’s map, click here.

Methodology

The Index is not intended to illustrate levels or severity of flu activity, but rather, based on this methodology, to show which populations are experiencing the highest incidences of influenza within the U.S. and Puerto Rico each week.

Data for the Walgreens Flu Index is analyzed at state and geographic market levels to measure absolute impact and incremental change of antiviral medications on a per store average basis, and does not include markets in which Walgreens has fewer than 10 retail locations.

*Designated Market Area