ETA has prepared a Training and Employment Notice which will be issued within the next few days. This TEN will offer a number of Q’s and A’s regarding the dimensions, coverage, and timetables of this CVS initiative for the workforce system. These Q’s and A’s appear after the CVS release.

CVS October 1, 2009 Release

With the unemployment rate currently at the highest in over two decades, CVS Caremark today announced it has begun to provide 100,000 free seasonal flu shots to the unemployed as part of its efforts to help keep Americans healthy this flu season. The initiative kicks off today at The Work Place, a member of the Massachusetts Career One-Stop Initiative in Boston.

In more than 20 markets across the country, CVS Caremark will offer vouchers for free seasonal flu shots worth a total of $3 million. The vouchers will be distributed at participating One-Stop Career Centers and other select employment training agencies that offer career resources, training, and workforce information to job seekers, students, and businesses. More information on contacting the individual employment centers participating in the free flu voucher program can be found at www.cvs.com/flu.

“The unemployed are particularly vulnerable this flu season, as many lack health insurance or employer coverage for a flu shot. We are excited to get this program underway and to start providing protection for this group as early in the flu season as possibleid Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., Chief Medical Officer for CVS Caremark.

Beginning the week of October 5th, participating employment centers will offer free flu shot vouchers for distribution to their unemployed clients. The vouchers can be redeemed at CVS/pharmacy stores during a scheduled flu shot clinic or at MinuteClinic health centers located within select CVS/pharmacy stores during their regular hours of operation; no appointment necessary. Please note that free flu shot vouchers will not be available at CVS/pharmacy or MinuteClinic.

Participating employment centers are located in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and Washington, DC.

Employment and Training Administration’s “Questions and Answers” on the CVS Flu Shot Initiative

Q. Has the Employment and Training Administration designated or discussed the participating One-Stop Career Centers with CVS Caremark?

A. No. CVS Caremark has been engaged in direct conversations with the individual Centers. These partnerships are forming at the local level; the Employment and Training Administration does not serve as a sponsor or co-sponsor of this initiative.

Q. When does the campaign begin?

A. Vouchers for free seasonal flu shots will be available on a rolling basis beginning the week of October 5 at selected One-Stop Centers in 16 States.

Q. Will the campaign be able to serve every unemployed individual desiring a flu shot?

A. No. With a limited number of flu shots nationally, CVS cannot provide a free innoculation to every unemployed person. Within its resource restrictions, CVS is pursuing a “targeted strategy” engaging a finite number of Centers in a number of cities to provide the available vouchers.

Q. Which Centers are currently participating in the initiative?

A. CVS has identified approximately 20 cities where the flu shots will be offered at participating pharmacies and MinuteClinics. CVS has been in direct discussions with local Workforce Investment Board and One-Stop Career Center principals to determine the best “operational agreements” within those communities to ensure referral efficiency and campaign success. The list of cities participating in the campaign appears on Attachment A.

Q. What can the designated One-Stop Career Centers expect in terms of guidance from CVS?

A. CVS plans to provide a package during the week of October 5 that will include vouchers for distribution. CVS will also be distributing additional background materials to Centers via email. These materials will include (1) a flyer to promote voucher availability, (2) a list of in-store flu shot clinics and MinuteClinics within the Center’s geography, (3) questions and answers, and (4) an instruction sheet summarizing all the local processes.

Q. How long will the campaign last for the participating One-Stop Career Centers?

A. CVS/Caremark expects that the vouchers will be distributed on a rolling basis through October 30. This rolling basis enables the in-store clinics and MinuteClinics to avoid “rushes. ”

Q. Can an unemployed individual in a designated city go to his/her local CVS/pharmacy or MinuteClinic to obtain a voucher?

A. No. The voucher will only be provided by the participating One-Stop Career Center. The emphasis is on minimizing the paperwork and maximizing convenience. The One-Stop Career Center will place the patient’s name on the voucher at the time of distribution. The individual is expected to bring a picture ID to the One-Stop Career Center as well.

Q. Does the voucher entitle an individual to both the seasonal flu and H1N1 shot?

A. No. H1N1 is a different strain of the flu virus and will require a separate vaccination. The H1N1 vaccine is currently in development and is expected to be available later this year.

Q. Are there others ways in which ETA is publicizing this campaign?

A. Yes. While the agency does not directly authorize or sponsor the campaign, it does wish to provide information on a “public service” basis to interested individuals. The 877-US2-JOBS toll free number customer service representatives have been provided “scripts” for responding to callers with questions about the campaign or seek vouchers for the shots.

The WWW.CAREERONESTOP.ORG webpage will be also updated to reflect information about the initiative. This webpage will contain a PDF of a letter from CVS Caremark with a description of the flu shot program and the participating locations

Q. Our city is listed on Attachment A. Who is our best contact to learn more about the CVS - One-Stop Career Center partnerships?

A. Becky Martinez with CVS is the appropriate contact. Ms. Martinez can be reached by e-mail at RebeccaM@cvsgov.com or by telephone (951-236-8198).

Q. If my city does not appear on the Attachment A listing of cities, would CVS be open to additional partnerships? If yes, who should I contact?

A. While the flu shot campaign progresses, CVS may adjust or refine its targeted locations. Ms. Martinez would also be the contact person.

Q. Is there a CVS website where updated information on the flu shot campaign will appear?

A. Yes. Please visit WWW.CVS.COM/flu. Information will also be available at 1-888-FLU-SHOT. ETA will also feature pertinent updates on the campaign on its WWW.DOLETA.GOV/USWORKFORCE webpage.

Attachment A

Cities Currently Participating in CVS/Caremark “Flu Shots for the Unemployed” Campaign