Free health checkups at participating Wal-Marts on Saturday

Oct. 12--Health problems got you down?

For four hours this weekend, anyone who walks into Wal-Mart pharmacies nationwide can get a free health checkup.

As part of Wal-Mart Wellness Day, customers can head into pharmacies at five area stores from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, two in York, two in Hanover and one in Shrewsbury.

Spokeswoman Molly Blakeman said the health event includes immunizations, free health screenings, product samples and health insurance information.

"Providing affordable care to our customers is at the cornerstone of our health and wellness business," she said. "We know we have a vital role to play in helping our customers live a healthier life. ... This event is just one of the ways we bring that to life."

Last year, Wal-Mart conducted more than 280,000 screenings, administered more than 52,000 immunizations and handed out 2 million samples.

Blakeman said no appointment is necessary to take advantage of any of the offered services, including free blood-glucose and blood-pressure checks, but only some stores will have vision screenings. Those will be available in York at 2801 E. Market St., in Hanover at 1881 Baltimore Pike and at the Shrewsbury Commons store.

Immunizations are the only part of the free event that will have an out-of-pocket cost without insurance, but Blakeman said most insurance companies cover 100 percent of the cost of vaccines.

"While they're getting some basic screenings done to show customers what's happening inside their bodies, we're able to help them take that first step toward a healthier lifestyle (with the samples)," she said.

___

(c)2016 The York Dispatch (York, Pa.)

Visit The York Dispatch (York, Pa.) at www.yorkdispatch.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.