Content about Flu season

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — According to a new study by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center released Thursday, less than 45% of children were vaccinated against the flu during a five-year study period.

ATLANTA — The worst of the flu season may be over, at least for those in the South. In a late morning press conference with reporters, Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said, "We are seeing a decrease in some regions."

LONDON — Lingering fears of pandemic flu in the United States and a spike in flu activity will help to keep vaccination levels high, according to a new report.

GlobalData, a British market research firm, released a report Monday showing that seasonal influenza vaccine demand will increase from 2012's estimated 142 million to 158 million in 2022.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Both the strong incidence of influenza and the rise in the number of flu shots administered in December positively impacted comparable prescriptions filled at Walgreens on a day-fall adjusted basis, the company reported Friday. Flu shots administered at pharmacies and clinics season-to-date were nearly 5.5 million versus approximately 5.3 million last year, the retailer noted. 

LONDON — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new four-strain flu vaccine made by GlaxoSmithKline, the drug maker said.

GSK announced the approval of its Fluarix Quadrivalent (influenza virus vaccine) for children and adults against seasonal influenza subtypes A and B. The company said the vaccine was the first for intramuscular injection that protects against four strains of the virus.

 ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported that the national incidence of influenza-like illness dropped below the national baseline of 2.2% to 1.9% and is lower than reported during the previous week. "This fluctuation may be attributed in part to a reduced number of routine health visits during the Thanksgiving holidays, as has been observed in previous seasons," the agency speculated. 

ATLANTA — The influenza season is officially underway as flu incidence is already above the national threshold, Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters during a teleconference Monday. "This is the earliest regular flu season we've had in nearly a decade, since the 2003-2004 flu season," he said. "That was an early and severe flu year, and while flu is always unpredictable, the early nature of the cases as well as the specific strains we're seeing suggest that this could be a bad flu year."

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering a $5 discount on flu vaccinations through the middle of this month, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

To mark National Influenza Vaccination Week, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention started in 2005, which started Sunday and runs through Saturday, Rite Aid is administering flu vaccinations for $24.99 through Dec. 15. The original price was $29.99.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is using flu shots to support the USO in recognition of Veterans Day.

CVS/pharmacy said Wednesday that it would donate $3 to the USO during the week of the holiday, between Nov. 11 and Nov. 17, pledging a minimum donation of $50,000, and up to $100,000. The company said the idea was to remind Americans that a flu shot is the best way to protect against flu.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews on Monday received her flu shot from a Rexall Pharma Plus pharmacist, kicking off the annual Ontario flu vaccination campaign.

“Getting a flu shot for Ontarians will be as easy as visiting any Rexall Pharma Plus pharmacy,” stated Frank Scorpiniti, CEO of Rexall Pharma Plus. “With over 250 locations and 700 certified pharmacists in Ontario, Rexall Pharma Plus makes it easy to receive flu shots any time, any day, no appointment needed.”

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — More than half of consumers say they do not plan to get a flu shot this season, according to a recent survey conducted by CVS/pharmacy.