DEERFIELD, Ill. — Again this year, Walgreens is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide more than $10 million of free flu shot vouchers for the upcoming flu season.

The drug chain and HHS are distributing the vouchers via a range of outreach efforts, local events, and community and faith-based organizations nationwide.

Each voucher is good for one flu shot at any Walgreens pharmacy in the continental United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as at Duane Reade pharmacies in metropolitan New York and at Walgreens Healthcare Clinic locations.

Through the initiative, Walgreens and HHS aim to improve flu immunization rates among uninsured Americans.

“We’re proud to continue to grow our collaboration with HHS and to be working together to meet the health care needs of the communities we serve,” Richard Ashworth, president of pharmacy and retail operations at Walgreens, said in a statement. “We know that cost can be a barrier for some people when it comes to vaccinations and other preventive care. And by providing access to flu shots at no cost for those who are eligible, we can make a significant impact by protecting more people throughout the flu season.”

The voucher program is in its seventh year. During that time, Walgreens has provided more than $50 million of flu shot vouchers to communities across the country.

“Since 2010, this partnership has helped us make substantial strides in addressing disparities in flu vaccination coverage by providing free flu shots for more than 1.4 million people,” stated J. Nadine Gracia, deputy assistant secretary for minority health and director of the HHS Office of Minority Health. “As the flu season approaches, our continued collaboration will help protect hundreds of thousands of people from influenza, which can make chronic health problems worse or lead to hospitalization or even death.”