Content about Influenza vaccine

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.

September 13, 2012
Sanofi Pasteur enlists actor Chris O'Donnell in flu vaccine campaign

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."

September 12, 2012
AAP updates flu vaccination recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics on Tuesday recommended annual trivalent seasonal influenza immunization for all individuals ages 6 months and older, including all children, adolescents and young adults.

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — The American Academy of Pediatrics on Tuesday recommended annual trivalent seasonal influenza immunization for all individuals ages 6 months and older, including all children, adolescents and young adults.

The updated policy statement, “Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2012-2013” published in the October 2012 issue of Pediatrics, includes guidance on vaccine formulations, dosing and administration, as well as current treatment guidance for antiviral medications.

September 4, 2012
Kroger pharmacies, The Little Clinic now offering flu shots

Kroger has announced that it is offering $25 flu shots at more than 1,900 Kroger pharmacy locations nationwide and at The Little Clinic locations inside select stores.

CINCINNATI — Kroger has announced that it is offering $25 flu shots at more than 1,900 Kroger pharmacy locations nationwide and at The Little Clinic locations inside select stores.

Flu shots are available for ages 2 years and older and high-dose flu shots are available for patients ages 65 years and older.

Certified pharmacists, The Little Clinic nurse practitioners or physician assistants administer all flu shots. Kroger pharmacies accept most insurance plans including Medicare.

September 4, 2012
Navarro Discount Pharmacy expands adult vaccine offerings

In light of new Florida regulations allowing certified pharmacists to administer a broader range of immunizations, Navarro Discount Pharmacy has expanded vaccine availability at all of its 31 locations in south Florida to include immunizations for both shingles and pneumonia, in addition to the flu vaccine.

MIAMI and PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. — In light of new Florida regulations allowing certified pharmacists to administer a broader range of immunizations, Navarro Discount Pharmacy has expanded vaccine availability at all of its 31 locations in south Florida to include immunizations for both shingles and pneumonia, in addition to the flu vaccine.

August 30, 2012
National Council on Aging launches flu shot drive with CDC targeting seniors

The National Council on Aging last week introduced a new national Flu + You campaign to improve vaccination rates among seniors.

WASHINGTON — The National Council on Aging last week introduced a new national Flu + You campaign to improve vaccination rates among seniors.

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 21, 2012
Bi-Lo launches annual flu vaccination drive

Supermarket chain Bi-Lo has launched an annual campaign to promote flu vaccinations.

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Supermarket chain Bi-Lo has launched an annual campaign to promote flu vaccinations.

The chain offers three vaccination options, including the standard vaccination, a high-dose vaccination for elderly patients and an intradermal vaccination delivered with a microneedle that is 90% smaller than traditional needles.

August 20, 2012
CVS/pharmacy, MinuteClinic encouraging consumers to get flu shot

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.

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.

August 20, 2012
Winn-Dixie launches 'Shield Yourself' flu vaccination campaign

Winn-Dixie Stores on Monday kicked off its “Shield Yourself” flu vaccination campaign offering consumers three options in getting this year’s influenza vaccine.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie Stores on Monday kicked off its “Shield Yourself” flu vaccination campaign offering consumers three options in getting this year’s influenza vaccine.

Guests at any of the grocer’s in-store pharmacies can choose from the standard vaccination, a high-dose vaccine recommended for those 65 years and older or an Intradermal flu vaccination administered with a microneedle that is 90% smaller than traditional needles, Winn-Dixie stated.

August 16, 2012
Study: Older patients, preventive services on rise at retail health clinics

Retail-based health clinics are attracting more older patients and delivering more preventive care, particularly flu shots and other vaccinations, according to a new study from the Rand Corp.

NEW YORK — Retail-based health clinics are attracting more older patients and delivering more preventive care, particularly flu shots and other vaccinations, according to a new study from the Rand Corp.

Researchers found that visits to retail medical clinics increased four-fold from 2007 to 2009, with the proportion of patients older than 65 years old growing from 8% to 19% of all visits during this period.

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 14, 2012
Study: Fear of needles could hamper flu vaccinations

Nobody likes getting a shot, but a new survey indicates that fear of needles also may prompt people to avoid getting flu vaccinations.

MINNEAPOLIS — Nobody likes getting a shot, but a new survey indicates that fear of needles also may prompt people to avoid getting flu vaccinations.

Target announced results of a new online survey conducted on its behalf by Harris Interactive showing that 60% of American adults would skip flu vaccinations, with 23% of those avoiding vaccinations because they don't like needles. The survey polled 2,160 adults between July 10 and July 12; no margin of error could be calculated as the survey was not based on a probability sample.

August 7, 2012
NACDS: Pharmacists as vaccinators are key in battle against whooping cough

Reflecting the value of community pharmacy, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is answering the call of public health authorities to promote vaccinations in the battle against whooping cough, also known as pertussis.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Reflecting the value of community pharmacy, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is answering the call of public health authorities to promote vaccinations in the battle against whooping cough, also known as pertussis.

Kathleen Jaeger, NACDS’ SVP of pharmacy care and patient advocacy, is spreading the message amid a growing national outbreak of the highly-contagious respiratory disease.

August 6, 2012
Rite Aid begins offering flu shots

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

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.

August 6, 2012
Walgreens, Duane Reade and Take Care Clinics offering flu shots on walk-in basis

Walgreens is looking to make getting a flu shot as easy as walking into any Walgreens, Duane Reade and Take Care Clinic by offering flu shots without an appointment.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is looking to make getting a flu shot as easy as walking into any Walgreens, Duane Reade and Take Care Clinic by offering flu shots without an appointment.

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.

August 3, 2012
MedImmune ships flu vaccine

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

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

July 31, 2012
GSK begins shipping FluLaval, Fluarix for 2012-2013 flu season

Following regulatory approval by the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, GlaxoSmithKline confirmed it has begun shipping the first lots of its 2012-2013 seasonal influenza vaccines to healthcare providers and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention distribution centers.

PHILADELPHIA — Following regulatory approval by the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, GlaxoSmithKline confirmed it has begun shipping the first lots of its 2012-2013 seasonal influenza vaccines to healthcare providers and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention distribution centers.

July 30, 2012
CVS/pharmacy, MinuteClinic launch flu shot voucher program

CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic are offering a flu shot voucher program in August as part of CVS/pharmacy's Project Health free screening events.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic are offering a flu shot voucher program in August as part of CVS/pharmacy's Project Health free screening events.

Qualifying patients who attend a "Flu Voucher Fridays" Project Health event, complete the screenings and identify themselves as not having health insurance will receive a voucher redeemable for a flu shot at any CVS/pharmacy or MinuteClinic location this flu season. The flu shot vouchers are being offered as part of National Immunization Awareness Month.

July 16, 2012
Sanofi Pasteur begins shipping Fluzone in U.S. for 2012-2013 season

Sanofi Pasteur has begun shipping the first lots of its influenza vaccine for the 2012-2013 season.

SWIFTWATER, Pa. — Sanofi Pasteur has begun shipping the first lots of its influenza vaccine for the 2012-2013 season.

June 21, 2012
Fighting COPD


Drug Store News recently talked with COPD Foundation founder and president John Walsh about the organization’s new leadership. In March, the COPD Foundation took over leadership for Drive4COPD, which aims to screen people for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a collective term for emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which the group estimates to affect 24 million Americans who may have it but don’t know it.


Drug Store News recently talked with COPD Foundation founder and president John Walsh about the organization’s new leadership. In March, the COPD Foundation took over leadership for Drive4COPD, which aims to screen people for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a collective term for emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which the group estimates to affect 24 million Americans who may have it but don’t know it.


DSN: What led the COPD Foundation to take over Drive4COPD?


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.

June 18, 2012
Is an ounce of prevention taking a pound of cure out of the pharmacy?

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.

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.

June 12, 2012
CDC: 2011-2012 influenza season lowest on record

The 2011-2012 influenza season was one of the mildest and latest seasons on record, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ATLANTA — The 2011-2012 influenza season was one of the mildest and latest seasons on record, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The peak percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illnesses of 2.4% was the lowest reported since the system began in its current format in 1997. The peak percentage of visits for ILI during those 14 seasons ranged from 3.2% for the 2002-2003 season to 7.7% during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.