Content about Immunizations

LOS ANGELES — CVS Caremark, through its All Kids Can program, announced on Thursday a partnership with Cedars-Sinai to expand the medical center's Coach for Kids and Their Families program to provide health services to more vulnerable children in South Los Angeles who otherwise would not have access to health services, including immunizations and dental screenings.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores submitted on Monday comments to the Food and Drug Administration regarding its position on the “new paradigm” for a third class of drugs.

The comments were submitted to the FDA in conjunction with the agency’s hearing titled, “Using Innovative Technologies and Other Conditions of Safe Use to Expand Which Drug Products Can Be Considered Nonprescription.”

DEERFIELD, Ill. — It seems that many U.S. adults are unaware of what inoculations are government-recommended vaccinations, while more than half are not diligent about regular checkups with their primary care physician, according to a Walgreens survey.

Electronic prescribing has long been touted as a way to reduce medication errors and healthcare costs, but one retail pharmacy chain has found another use for it.


DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday released case studies presented last week before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2012 National Immunization Conference on how retail pharmacy can expand access to immunizations and help support disease-prevention initiatives.

The studies demonstrated the impact of three Walgreens initiatives aimed at increasing immunization rates: off-clinic hour vaccine administration, a pharmacist-led meningitis vaccination program and expansion of access to immunization services in underserved areas.

TORONTO — Patients in Canada increasingly are tapping into the healthcare knowledge, expertise and services available at their local pharmacy, with many of them talking to their pharmacist about one or more healthcare issues other than filling a prescription, according to the findings of a new Nielsen survey commissioned by the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — A retail pharmacy chain's efforts to immunize customers have won recognition from an organization of the country's pharmacists.

Rite Aid won the American Pharmacists Association's Immunization Champion Award in the national corporation and institution category, the chain said Thursday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday expanded its offering of immunizations that provide protection against pertussis (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis-Tdap vaccine) to all of its more than 580 pharmacies throughout Illinois with no appointment necessary.

Sales of home-testing kits, not including pregnancy test kits or ovulation test kits, have grown just under 8% over the past year, according to Angie Echele, VP at Genesis Sales and Marketing. And as pharmacy continues to realize its role as a community healthcare hub, the business of home-testing kits is only going to grow, Echele added.


ATLANTA — Childhood vaccination rates are on the rise, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC's 2010 National Immunization Survey of more than 17,000 households found that among children born between January 2007 and July 2009, immunizations for measles, mumps, rubella, rotavirus, hepatitis A, pneumococcal disease and haemophilus influenza type B were at 90% or more. In addition, vaccinations against polio, chickenpox and hepatitis B were remained at or above 90%.

BOULDER, Colo. — Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy on Tuesday announced that it is now offering immunizations for influenza, pneumonia and whooping cough on a walk-in basis. The majority of Pharmaca’s pharmacists are trained to provide the shots to any customer who requests one during open pharmacy hours.

In addition, Pharmaca will hold Flu Shot Clinics every Tuesday in September, October and November, between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. — Kinney Drugs will provide flu immunizations to patients by appointment during the 2011-2012 flu season.

This year's flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three most common types of flu viruses, influenza A H3N2, influenza B and H1N1.

Kinney operates stores in New York and Vermont.