Content about FluMist

January 7, 2013

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday announced the launch of its CDC Influenza application for clinicians and other healthcare professionals on the Apple platform.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday announced the launch of its CDC Influenza application for clinicians and other healthcare professionals on the Apple platform. The app makes it easy to access CDC’s latest recommendations and influenza activity updates on an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, the agency stated.

An Android support will be added in a future update, CDC noted. 

January 7, 2013

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.

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.

December 28, 2012

Emergent BioSolutions announced that it has signed a license agreement with VaxInnate Corporation under which Emergent acquired the exclusive right to manufacture and sell VaxInnate’s pandemic influenza vaccine candidate in the United States.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Emergent BioSolutions on Friday announced that it has signed a license agreement with VaxInnate Corporation under which Emergent acquired the exclusive right to manufacture and sell VaxInnate’s pandemic influenza vaccine candidate in the United States. 

December 18, 2012

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

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.

December 11, 2012

The New York Department of Health on Monday announced that reported cases of influenza are increasing throughout New York, and flu activity in the state is now considered to be widespread, with laboratory-confirmed cases in more than half the regions.

ALBANY — The New York Department of Health on Monday announced that reported cases of influenza are increasing throughout New York, and flu activity in the state is now considered to be widespread, with laboratory-confirmed cases in more than half the regions. 

Since New York began its annual seasonal flu surveillance this fall, influenza cases have been reported in 47 counties and the five boroughs of New York City. This is consistent with nationwide reporting that shows influenza activity is also increasing in many regions of the country. 

December 10, 2012

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%.

 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. 

December 4, 2012

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.

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."

December 4, 2012

CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic are reminding families during National Influenza Vaccination Week about the importance of receiving their flu vaccinations, and are partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the NFL Retired Players Association to increase awareness about the benefits of annual flu vaccination.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic are reminding families during National Influenza Vaccination Week about the importance of receiving their flu vaccinations, and are partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the NFL Retired Players Association to increase awareness about the benefits of annual flu vaccination.

December 3, 2012

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

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.

November 21, 2012

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday announced the approval of Novartis' Flucelvax, the first seasonal influenza vaccine licensed in the United States produced using cultured animal cells, instead of fertilized chicken eggs.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday announced the approval of Novartis' Flucelvax, the first seasonal influenza vaccine licensed in the United States produced using cultured animal cells, instead of fertilized chicken eggs. Flucelvax is approved to prevent seasonal influenza in people ages 18 years and older.

October 25, 2012

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Health Commissioner Thomas Farley received their seasonal flu vaccination Thursday morning at a Duane Reade pharmacy in New York City, demonstrating the importance of taking proactive steps to prevent the spread of influenza.

NEW YORK CITY — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Health Commissioner Thomas Farley received their seasonal flu vaccination Thursday morning at a Duane Reade pharmacy in New York City, demonstrating the importance of taking proactive steps to prevent the spread of influenza.

October 22, 2012

Sanofi Pasteur announced Monday the presentation of three clinical trials of an experimental influenza vaccine.

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — Sanofi Pasteur announced Monday the presentation of three clinical trials of an experimental influenza vaccine.

October 18, 2012

Sanofi Pasteur on Thursday announced it has filed for approval of a four-strain flu shot to the Food and Drug Administration.

 SWIFTWATER, Pa. — Sanofi Pasteur on Thursday announced it has filed for approval of a four-strain flu shot to the Food and Drug Administration. An action date is anticipated in the second quarter of 2013. 

October 11, 2012

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.

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.

October 9, 2012

A group pushing to increase the number of people vaccinated against influenza has a deal with a Midwestern retailer to encourage vaccination in the region.

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — A group pushing to increase the number of people vaccinated against influenza has a deal with a Midwestern retailer to encourage vaccination in the region.

October 9, 2012

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of French drug maker Sanofi, recently unveiled an effort to promote flu vaccinations that includes advertising and celebrity endorsements. DSN had the opportunity to talk to Sanofi Pasteur director of U.S. public relations and communications Michael Szumera about the campaign.

Flu vaccinations have received a lot of attention lately, and that’s no surprise, considering the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that everyone ages 6 months and older get yearly vaccinations, not to mention the H1N1 pandemic flu scare.

October 9, 2012

In light of a decision by the Ontario government to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists to include administering flu shots, Shoppers Drug Mart has announced that it will offer vaccination clinics in more than 750 stores in Ontario and across Canada.

TORONTO — In light of a decision by the Ontario government to expand the scope of practice for pharmacists to include administering flu shots, Shoppers Drug Mart has announced that it will offer vaccination clinics in more than 750 stores in Ontario and across Canada.

Under the new regulations, pharmacists in Ontario now can administer flu immunization by injection or inhalation to a patient who is 5 years of age and older.

October 9, 2012

Beyond the most obvious impetus for providing vaccines at the retail pharmacy level — it protects the public’s health by providing a more convenient option than making an appointment with the doctor — it also might help save money for employers.


Beyond the most obvious impetus for providing vaccines at the retail pharmacy level — it protects the public’s health by providing a more convenient option than making an appointment with the doctor — it also might help save money for employers.


A study recently published in the journal Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation found that when more vaccinations are administered in an alternate setting, such as a pharmacy, employers realize a greater cost benefit. 


October 5, 2012

Sanofi Pasteur will bring its Fluzone Intradermal Vaccine Coop de Quill VacciNation Tour to a San Francisco Walgreens on Oct. 6 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 to 64 years of age this flu season.

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — Sanofi Pasteur will bring its Fluzone Intradermal Vaccine Coop de Quill VacciNation Tour to a San Francisco Walgreens on Oct. 6 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 to 64 years of age this flu season.

September 28, 2012

For the first time in a decade, sales of vaccines declined, Kalorama Information noted in a report released Thursday.

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.

September 27, 2012

Flu vaccination rates have remained steady overall, but rates continue to vary between age groups and among states, according to data from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published Thursday.

WASHINGTON — Flu vaccination rates have remained steady overall, but rates continue to vary between age groups and among states, according to data from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published Thursday.

September 24, 2012

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.

 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. 

September 18, 2012

Just days after Sanofi Pasteur's hiring of actor Chris O'Donnell as a celebrity spokesman for its flu vaccination campaign, the American Lung Association has hired actress Sarah Chalke for its campaign, for which it is also collaborating with Sanofi Pasteur.

WASHINGTON — Just days after Sanofi Pasteur's hiring of actor Chris O'Donnell as a celebrity spokesman for its flu vaccination campaign, the American Lung Association has hired actress Sarah Chalke for its campaign, for which it is also collaborating with Sanofi Pasteur.

The American Lung Association announced the enlistment of Chalke for its "Faces of Influenza" initiative to promote flu immunizations. Chalke, a cast member of the show Scrubs and a mother, will be the spokeswoman for the campaign during the 2012-2013 season.

September 17, 2012

A study recently published in the Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation journal found that when more vaccinations are administered in an alternate setting, such as a pharmacy, employers realize a greater cost benefit.

LONDON — A study recently published in the Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation journal found that when more vaccinations are administered in an alternate setting, such as a pharmacy, employers realize a greater cost benefit. 

September 13, 2012

The vaccines division of French drug maker Sanofi has signed a deal with actor Chris O'Donnell to promote its flu vaccination products, the company said.

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — The vaccines division of French drug maker Sanofi has signed a deal with actor Chris O'Donnell to promote its flu vaccination products, the company said.

Sanofi Pasteur's campaign includes an effort to build awareness of influenza and vaccine options, including the company's Fluzone Intradermal vaccine, for adults through the age of 65 years. O'Donnell has appeared in such movies as "Fried Green Tomatoes" and "Kinsey," and more recently in such television shows as "NCIS: Los Angeles."