Content about Influenza A virus subtype H1N1

NEW YORK — New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg and health commissioner Thomas Farley received their seasonal flu vaccine on Saturday at a Duane Reade pharmacy in the Bronx, demonstrating the importance of taking steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

“Every year, New Yorkers lose their lives to the flu, and a flu shot is the single most important protection against getting sick and spreading the flu to others,” Bloomberg said. “I urge everyone to go to their doctor, local health clinic or pharmacy and get a flu shot as soon as they can.”

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has partnered with Direct Relief USA to offer up to $6 million in free flu shots to community clinic and health center patients who are uninsured, the company announced on Tuesday.

More than 400 participating clinics and health centers across the country will identify uninsured individuals from their existing patient populations and provide them with a free flu shot voucher, which is redeemable at more than 7,200 CVS/pharmacy locations and the nearly 600 MinuteClinics inside select CVS/pharmacy stores.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — With more than 1 million fans on Facebook and the largest following on Foursquare among chain drug store retailers, Walgreens is using these social media platforms to let its customers help distribute more than $6 million in free flu shot vouchers to five national charities, the Chicago-area chain announced Friday.

Walgreens is working with the American Diabetes Association, AmeriCares, Feeding America, League of United Latin American Citizens and the National Urban League on an initiative to help provide up to 200,000 flu shot vouchers.

CINCINNATI — Kroger has announced that it is offering early flu vaccinations for patients within its 1,900 pharmacy locations nationwide and at the 79 Little Clinic locations in select stores.

The flu shots are administered by Kroger pharmacists or Little Clinic nurse practitioners or physician assistants.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Flu shots are available at every Rite Aid store around the country, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

Rite Aid said more than 11,500 pharmacists are on hand at its 4,700 stores to administer flu shots. Customers who receive the $27.99 shots at Rite Aid will get a coupon booklet with more than $100 in savings on health and wellness, beauty and household products. In addition, Wellness+ members will earn 25 reward points.

WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the Food and Drug Administration has recommended that the flu vaccine for the 2011-2012 season protect against the same strains as it did this year.

The FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee recommended that the vaccine will protect those immunized against H1N1, H3N2 and a type of influenza-B virus, the same formulation as this past season's vaccine.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday announced its CDC Flu App Challenge to identify innovative and creative uses of technology that would help raise awareness of influenza and/or educate consumers on ways to prevent and treat the flu. All told, the challenge will award up to $42,500 in prizes.

The submission period runs through May 27; winners will be announced June 8.

CINCINNATI — Kroger is highlighting immunization against the flu this season on the company's website.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — There currently are about 1,200 retail clinics and more than 100,000 certified immunizing pharmacists. Expect those numbers to rise steadily as other employers looks to mimic Citi's free flu shot card program -- and you can bet they will.

(THE NEWS: Citi's flu care card pushes employers toward lower-cost retail channels. For the full story, click here)

SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass. Kaz, the maker of Vicks, Honeywell and Braun wellness devices, recently launched a new Facebook fan page named Cold and Flu Central, created to help inform families about some of the best defenses against colds and the flu.

The page includes doctor-approved tips, third-party expert advice and links, product giveaways, drug store availability information, discussions and polls.