Southern States Top Walgreens Flu Index for Overall Activity During 2017-2018 Season

DEERFIELD, Ill.—Walgreens has released its season-ending Flu Index, ranking the top states and markets (DMAs) for flu activity this season. The Index is based on methodology that includes Walgreens aggregate prescription data, from September 2017 through March 2018.

The states with the highest rates of influenza, according to the Index, were Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. The top 3 markets for flu activity were all in Texas, including San Angelo, Odessa-Midland, and Tyler-Longview.

The Walgreens Flu Index shows which populations are experiencing the highest incidences of influenza each week, based on Index methodology. The data does not measure actual levels or severity of flu activity.

Top 10 DMAs with flu activity aggregate data from September 2017 through March 2018

• San Angelo, TX
• Odessa-Midland, TX
• Tyler-Longview (including Lufkin & Nacogdoches), TX
• Jonesboro, AR
• Hattiesburg-Laurel, MS
• Alexandria, LA
• Victoria, TX
• Abilene-Sweetwater, TX
• Monroe, LA-El Dorado, AR
• Wichita Falls, Texas and Lawton, OK

Top 10 States with flu activity aggregate data from September 2017 through March 2018

• Texas
• Oklahoma
• Arkansas
• Mississippi
• Louisiana
• Alabama
• Tennessee
• Kentucky
• Nebraska
• Kansas

Methodology

The Walgreens Flu Index is compiled using weekly retail prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza across Walgreens locations nationwide. The data 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.