Content about Influenza A virus subtype H1N1

February 25, 2013
DSN Flu Tracker: Illustrating the 2012-2013 season

There were more sick people cruising the cold relief aisles this year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu incidence peaked at 6.1% this season, making this season the most virulent since the 2007-2008 season — excepting the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, which was atypical.

There were more sick people cruising the cold relief aisles this year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu incidence peaked at 6.1% this season, making this season the most virulent since the 2007-2008 season — excepting the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, which was atypical.

With that in mind, sales of cough and cold medicines — or sales of just about anything else that had something to do with the flu, from hand sanitizers to flu shots — were through the roof.

February 19, 2013
CDC: Flu activity drops to 3.2%, still above national baseline of 2.2%

For the week ended Feb. 9, influenza activity decreased to 3.2% — still above the baseline of 2.2%, but an indicator this year's flu season is on its way out.

ATLANTA — For the week ended Feb. 9, influenza activity decreased to 3.2% — still above the baseline of 2.2%, but an indicator this year's flu season is on its way out. 

Eleven states and New York City were still experiencing high influenza-like illness activity, while 10 states reported moderate activity.

February 8, 2013
Kimberly-Clark increasing face mask production due to higher demand because of the flu

Kimberly-Clark announced its continued increase in production of face masks and other personal protective equipment products in response to increased customer demand from acute care facilities across the country.

ROSWELL, Ga. — Kimberly-Clark on Friday announced its continued increase in production of face masks and other personal protective equipment products in response to increased customer demand from acute care facilities across the country.

February 1, 2013
Flu continues to rage across West, Southwest United States

The flu epidemic is in full swing in the West and across the Southwest, as just about every state west of the Mississippi through to California is in the red on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weekly FluView for the week ended Jan. 26.

ATLANTA — The flu epidemic is in full swing in the West and across the Southwest, as just about every state west of the Mississippi through to California is in the red on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weekly FluView for the week ended Jan. 26. 

As expected, many of those living in areas with high influenza-like illness activity were visiting their local drug stores for symptomatic relief. Drug store front-end sales were up 7.4% for the four weeks ended Jan. 26, according to reports citing Nielsen data. 

January 24, 2013
Minn. flu deaths more than double over last year

The number of people who have died from flu in Minnesota is 75, more than double what it was last year, according to the state health department and published reports.

NEW YORK — The number of people who have died from flu in Minnesota is 75, more than double what it was last year, according to the state health department and published reports.

According to data released by the department, the third week of January — Jan. 13-19 — saw 15 people die from flu-related illness, bringing the total for the season to 75. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that 33 people died from flu last season, while 67 died during the 2009-2010 season, coinciding with the H1N1 pandemic.

January 16, 2013
Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis, CDC partner to promote flu shots

An advocacy group focused on a rare lung disorder is working with government authorities to educate patients about the need to get flu shots.

CULVER CITY, Calif. — An advocacy group focused on a rare lung disorder is working with government authorities to educate patients about the need to get flu shots.

The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis said it would partner with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to inform patients about the need for immunizations. PF is a disorder with no known cause or cure that causes scarring and deterioration of the lungs, affecting about 128,000 Americans.

January 7, 2013
Report: Flu vaccinations to see surge in coming decade

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.

November 5, 2012
More patients ‘get the point’ of flu shots

While there is still plenty of room for improvement, a growing number of patients have either already received or plan to receive a flu shot this year compared to one year ago. According to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in September, 57% of patients have received or plan to receive a flu shot this year, versus 53% in 2011. 


While there is still plenty of room for improvement, a growing number of patients have either already received or plan to receive a flu shot this year compared to one year ago. According to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in September, 57% of patients have received or plan to receive a flu shot this year, versus 53% in 2011. 


To see more Patient Views, click here.

October 9, 2012
Q&A: Campaigning 
against the flu

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.

September 27, 2012
Health officials, experts get vaccinated for flu as study highlights progress, gaps in vaccination efforts

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 27, 2012
Safeway to offer 10% grocery discount to flu shot patients

Safeway on Thursday announced the availability of flu shots on a walk-in basis at all Safeway pharmacy locations.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Thursday announced the availability of flu shots on a walk-in basis at all Safeway pharmacy locations.

September 14, 2012
Patients responding to enriched healthcare experience of clinics, further underscoring tipping point

With the growth of consumer-driven care and more of the burden of managing costs falling on patients’ shoulders, there’s no doubt that patients are responding to the convenient, cost-effective health care provided by retail health clinics. Further evidence of this is the recent results of the Harris Interactive poll.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — With the growth of consumer-driven care and more of the burden of managing costs falling on patients’ shoulders, there’s no doubt that patients are responding to the convenient, cost-effective health care provided by retail health clinics. Further evidence of this is the recent results of the Harris Interactive poll.

August 22, 2012
PrescribeWellness launches flu shot drive

A company that runs a cloud-based communications system for use by healthcare providers, family and others and designed to improve health care and outcomes is launching a nationwide flu shot drive.

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — A company that runs a cloud-based communications system for use by healthcare providers, family and others and designed to improve health care and outcomes is launching a nationwide flu shot drive.

August 14, 2012
FDA approves formulation for 2012-2013 flu vaccines

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the formulation for the 2012-2013 flu vaccine, the agency said Monday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved the formulation for the 2012-2013 flu vaccine, the agency said Monday.

The agency's approval is for all six licensed flu vaccines for the 2012-2013 season: Afluria, made by CSL; Fluarix, made by GlaxoSmithKline; FluLaval, made by ID Biomedical; FluMist, made by MedImmune Vaccines; Fluvirin, made by Novartis; and Fluzone, made by Sanofi.

August 3, 2012
CDC: Additional cases of flu strain infection reported

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported 12 additional human infections with influenza A (H3N2) variant virus in three states, comprising of one case in Hawaii, 10 cases in Ohio and one case in Indiana.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported 12 additional human infections with influenza A (H3N2) variant virus in three states, comprising of one case in Hawaii, 10 cases in Ohio and one case in Indiana. The H3N2v virus contains the M gene from the 2009 H1N1 virus, as have the previous 17 cases detected since July 2011.

June 19, 2012
Maxim Health, Citi partner on flu shot payment card

Maxim Health Systems now is a certified distributor of the Citi Flu Care card, the healthcare group announced Tuesday.

NEW YORK — Maxim Health Systems now is a certified distributor of the Citi Flu Care card, the healthcare group announced Tuesday.

May 22, 2012
Study: Flu shots could provide unanticipated benefits to expectant moms

Getting a flu shot during pregnancy provides unanticipated benefits to the baby, according to the authors of a large population-based study examining the issue.

OTTAWA — Getting a flu shot during pregnancy provides unanticipated benefits to the baby, according to the authors of a large population-based study examining the issue. Specifically, the study showed that H1N1 vaccination during the pandemic was associated with a significantly reduced risk of stillbirth, preterm birth and extremely small babies at birth.

May 8, 2012
Research: Canadian researchers discover pathway to developing universal flu vaccines

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.

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.

April 18, 2012
Walgreens donates remaining flu shot inventory to Lao PDR

Walgreens on Wednesday donated 375,000 doses of seasonal flu vaccine to Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday donated 375,000 doses of seasonal flu vaccine to Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

Lao PDR health officials have designated the 375,000 doses of donated flu vaccine for people at high risk of flu complications in that country, including pregnant women, seniors and people with such chronic health conditions as heart and lung disease. The Walgreens donation was the result of a longstanding collaboration between the Lao MOH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

April 6, 2012
Study finds quadrivalent FluMist vaccine more effective than traditional inoculations

An intranasal vaccine that includes four weakened strains of influenza could do a better job in protecting children from the flu than current vaccines, research released Tuesday by St. Louis University found.

ST. LOUIS — An intranasal vaccine that includes four weakened strains of influenza could do a better job in protecting children from the flu than current vaccines, research released Tuesday by St. Louis University found.

March 20, 2012
'It's not too late to get a flu shot,' Walgreens, Chicago Health System tell patients

Walgreens and the Chicago Health System on Tuesday reminded CHS patients who were given a flu shot voucher from Walgreens to redeem the voucher by the end of the month and help increase flu vaccination rates throughout the Chicagoland area.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and the Chicago Health System on Tuesday reminded CHS patients who were given a flu shot voucher from Walgreens to redeem the voucher by the end of the month and help increase flu vaccination rates throughout the Chicagoland area. Through this program, the health system distributed approximately 25,000 vouchers in January to CHS patients who had not received the vaccination.

December 14, 2011
Walgreens, Chicago health network gift flu vouchers to local patients in need

Walgreens and Access Community Health Network of Chicago on Tuesday teamed up in an effort to protect more people in Chicago’s medically underserved communities from the flu this season, through a new program in which Walgreens will provide more than 10,000 free flu shot vouchers for eligible Access patients.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Access Community Health Network of Chicago on Tuesday teamed up in an effort to protect more people in Chicago’s medically underserved communities from the flu this season, through a new program in which Walgreens will provide more than 10,000 free flu shot vouchers for eligible Access patients.

December 5, 2011
CDC: 36% of Americans have gotten their flu shots; of those, 21% in a retail setting

As many as 111 million Americans had gotten a flu shot by mid-November, representing 36% of the 305 million Americans over the age of 6 months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated in a media telebriefing Monday afternoon.

ATLANTA — As many as 111 million Americans had gotten a flu shot by mid-November, representing 36% of the 305 million Americans over the age of 6 months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated in a media telebriefing Monday afternoon. The number of people getting vaccinated is up slightly from last year, the CDC reported, most notably among children and seniors.

December 2, 2011
Illinois governor receives flu shot at Walgreens to emphasize flu prevention

In an effort to emphasize the importance of being protected against the flu, Illinois governor Pat Quinn visited a Chicago Walgreens to receive his seasonal flu shot.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — In an effort to emphasize the importance of being protected against the flu, Illinois governor Pat Quinn visited a Chicago Walgreens to receive his seasonal flu shot.

Walgreens, which announced earlier this week that it was teaming up with the Department of Health and Human Services to provide flu shot vouchers to uninsured Americans, offers flu shots at its pharmacies at Take Care Clinics daily, with no appointment necessary.

Quinn received his flu shot Friday at Walgreens on 933 N. State St. in Chicago.

November 9, 2011
Safeway flu survey: Only half of Americans will get flu shot this year

Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe flu shots prevent the flu, but only half plan to get the shot this year, according to the "Safeway Seasonal Wellness Survey," conducted by Kelton Research.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Nearly two-thirds of Americans believe flu shots prevent the flu, but only half plan to get the shot this year, according to the "Safeway Seasonal Wellness Survey," conducted by Kelton Research.

This is especially surprising, given that 89% said getting a flu shot is “as important” (50%) or “more important” (39%) than it was five years ago.