Content about Flu season

NEW YORK — For the first time in a decade, sales of vaccines declined, Kalorama Information noted in a report released Thursday. A weak flu season last year was one factor that led to a 30% decline in the market to $19.8 billion in 2011, down from $24.1 billion in 2010. However, Kalorama projects that the world vaccines market will rebound — increasing at a compound annual rate of 8.9% during 2011-2016.

 SWIFTWATER, Pa. — Sanofi Pasteur is bringing its Fluzone Intradermal Vaccine Coop de Quill VacciNation Tour to Seattle Monday as part of its cross-country efforts to raise awareness about the seriousness of influenza and the various vaccine options that are available for adults 18 through 64 years old this flu season.

In an effort to help improve flu immunization rates, Sanofi Pasteur's Fluzone Intradermal Vaccine Coop de Quill VacciNation Tour will visit the Kirkland Walgreens for a flu clinic event. 

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club is offering 10 immunizations for cold and flu season, the warehouse retailer said Monday.

The retailer said it would offer the immunizations at its 552 pharmacies. In partnership with Mollen Immunization Clinics, it's also offering an expanded menu of immunizations by registered nurses through Nov. 15. The immunizations include flu, pneumonia, chickenpox, shingles, Tdap, human papillomavirus, MMR, meningitis, hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic have announced that flu vaccinations are now available at all of their locations nationwide with more than 20,000 immunizing healthcare professionals at CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic available to provide the preventive healthcare service.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is offering flu shots at all of its stores, the retail pharmacy chain said.

The company announced Monday the availability of the shots, offering during pharmacy hours, with no appointment necessary, for $29.99.

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — AstraZeneca's biologics division has begun shipping doses of influenza vaccine to distributors for the 2012-2013 flu season, the company said.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — More people had gotten their influenza vaccine by November 2011 than they had by November 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and last year's triumvirate virus was a good match for the predominant flu strains in circulation.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — University of British Columbia researchers may have found a way to develop universal flu vaccines and eliminate the need for seasonal flu vaccinations, university officials announced Tuesday.

ATLANTA — Children under the age of 10 years old may be especially susceptible to a new strain of influenza, according to an article published Friday in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report."

It was the cough, cold and flu season that wasn’t. The percentage of patient visits on account of influenza-like illnesses never eclipsed the 2.4% baseline that typically marks the beginning and end of a flu season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the closest the 2011-2012 flu season came to materializing was the week ended March 17, when 2.384% of all office visits were attributed to ILI symptoms nationwide. 


ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday issued its latest update on the influenza season to date, or rather the lack thereof. For the week ended Feb. 25, visits for influenza-like illnesses have yet to crack the national baseline of 2.4% this season.

Over the past two seasons, 2009/2010 and 2010/2011, reports of ILI activity reached levels approaching 8% and 5%, respectively, after crossing over that 2.4% threshold — an indicator that the flu season is well under way.

ATLANTA — The flu season is in full swing as California reported widespread influenza activity, according to data reported by state and territorial epidemiologists and published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.