Beyonce surprises fans at Walmart

Some Walmart shoppers got more than they bargained for when Beyoncé turned up for a surprise visit.

The superstar stopped by a Tewksbury, Mass., Walmart on Friday night, where she greeted fans and did a little holiday shopping. In her cart? A copy of her new self-titled album and a baby doll for Blue Ivy.

Queen Bey even got on the store's loudspeaker and offered to pay the first $50 of every customer's holiday shopping.

"It's Beyoncé! And I stopped by the store today because my record has arrived," she said. "I want to give everyone a gift. For everyone in the store right now, the first $50 of your holiday gifts are on me. Merry, merry Christmas from Beyoncé!"

The store handed out a total of 750 $50 gift cards enclosed within envelopes that read, "Happy Holidays from Beyoncé."

Bringing Holiday Hope to New Hope

New Hope is an organization that serves children who have one or both parents in prison. In the state with the highest percentage of women in prison, their mission is to break the cycle of generational incarceration, one child at a time. The children in this program range from 5 – 18. Walmart brought the holidays to these children. We surprised each of the 200 children with gifts from their personal Christmas wish list, clothing essentials, coats and groceries.  We also surprised the organization with supplies to assist with program activities - including various art supplies, sporting equipment and camping supplies. In addition, New Hope received 25 tablets and computers to help students with their homework as previously, volunteers of the program were lending their personal computers.

Stay healthy this season

Protect yourself and your family with flushots provided by Walmart Immunization Centers powered by Summit Health. These immunizations are administered by Walmart pharmacists or Summit Health nurses in thousands of Walmart stores.

In addition to flu immunizations, Walmart pharmacists also offer up to 10 other immunizations in select Walmart locations. To learn more about the immunizations offered by your local Walmart pharmacist, use the immunization locator tool to find the store nearest you.

Influenza (flu) is a serious and contagious disease caused by influenza virus that can lead to hospitalization and in some occasions, death. Flu symptoms usually last for a few days and can include fever, sore throat, chills, fatigue, cough, headache and muscle or body aches.

Certain people are at greater risk for serious complications if they get the flu. This includes older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease).

You may be able to pass the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Most adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick.

The “seasonal flu season” in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.