Content about Biology

BOSTON A biotech developer owned by the University of Massachusetts Medical School has granted drug maker Merck exclusive U.S. rights to its tetanus and diphtheria vaccine, Merck announced Wednesday.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. Take Care Health Systems has announced that it now is offering free blood pressure screenings at all of its 359 Take Care Clinics nationwide through May 31.

ATLANTA The rate of reported tuberculosis cases in the United States has decreased more than 11% since 2008, making it the greatest single-year decrease since the disease surveillance commenced in 1953, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

DEERFIELD, Ill. An increased awareness and concern around the flu caused a spike in the use of retail pharmacies as vaccination resources, according to data unveiled by Walgreens on Thursday.

As the retail pharmacy continues to play an increasingly important role in trying to drive higher rates for flu immunizations in all 50 states, seasonal flu shots administered by pharmacists grew 36% this flu season, capturing about 10% of the total administered nationwide, according to researched conducted by Wolters Kluwer.

ATLANTA The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still is recommending people who have not yet gotten their H1N1 flu shots that they do so. H1N1 vaccine is widely available, CDC officials noted.

In a conference call with reporters on Monday, the CDC that H1N1 has “not gone away,” with regional activity still being reported throughout the southeast, most notably in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. Hospitalizations attributed to H1N1 have been on the rise for three consecutive weeks.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. GlaxoSmithKline is offering its vaccines free of charge to low-income adults, the British drug maker announced Monday.

The GSK Vaccines Access Program offers adult vaccines for diseases such as hepatitis, tetanus and human papillomavirus for adults ages 19 years and older who lack health insurance coverage for vaccines.