Content about Meningitis

April 17, 2013
Hearing focuses on FDA response to meningitis outbreak

Food and Drug Administration commissioner Margaret Hamburg faced strong criticism Tuesday in a hearing before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to investigate the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy, but she conceded the agency could have done more.

WASHINGTON — Food and Drug Administration commissioner Margaret Hamburg faced strong criticism Tuesday in a hearing before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to investigate the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy, but she conceded the agency could have done more.

March 11, 2013
'60 Minutes' report explores fungal meningitis outbreak

A report on CBS' "60 Minutes" Sunday explored the aftermath of the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to the New England Compounding Center that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has sickened 720 people in 20 states and led to 48 deaths.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A report on CBS' "60 Minutes" Sunday explored the aftermath of the nationwide outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to the New England Compounding Center that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has sickened 720 people in 20 states and led to 48 deaths.

February 8, 2013
Reports: Mass. health authorities shut down 10 compounding pharmacies over violations

Surprise inspections at 40 compounding pharmacies in Massachusetts last fall have led to 10 being ordered to stop sterile compounding, according to published reports.

NEW YORK - Surprise inspections at 40 compounding pharmacies in Massachusetts last fall have led to 10 being ordered to stop sterile compounding, according to published reports.

State health authorities sent cease-and-desist letters to 11 pharmacies, telling 10 to stop compounding altogether and one to stop compounding the drug sildenafil citrate. Twenty-one other pharmacies were allowed to continue compounding, but were cited for minor violations.

October 26, 2012
FDA: Contamination found at Mass. compounding pharmacy linked to meningitis deaths

The Food and Drug Administration said it found a number of problems with cleanliness at a compounding pharmacy linked to a meningitis outbreak that has so far sickened hundreds of people and killed two dozen in a report released Friday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration said it found a number of problems with cleanliness at a compounding pharmacy linked to a meningitis outbreak that has so far sickened hundreds of people and killed two dozen in a report released Friday.

October 10, 2012
Reports: Meningitis outbreak prompts calls for inquiry into compounding pharmacies

Members of Congress are calling for an inquiry into compounding pharmacies amid a meningitis outbreak that has infected 119 people and killed 11, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Members of Congress are calling for an inquiry into compounding pharmacies amid a meningitis outbreak that has infected 119 people and killed 11, according to published reports.

July 27, 2012
MinuteClinic readies for BTS season, fall sports practice

MinuteClinic, the walk-in medical clinics inside CVS/pharmacy stores in 25 states and the District of Columbia, is gearing up for the back-to-school season by reminding parents that it is a one-stop location where students can get their required vaccinations and sports and college physicals as four states issue new immunization mandates.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic, the walk-in medical clinics inside CVS/pharmacy stores in 25 states and the District of Columbia, is gearing up for the back-to-school season by reminding parents that it is a one-stop location where students can get their required vaccinations and sports and college physicals as four states issue new immunization mandates.

April 6, 2012
Lifting state barriers on the types of vaccinations Rx can deliver equals greater access

The release by Walgreens of case studies that detail how retail pharmacy can expand access to immunizations is obviously important on several fronts, but it really makes one stop and wonder: What could be done if laws didn't vary by state in terms of what types of vaccinations pharmacists can deliver?

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The release by Walgreens of case studies that detail how retail pharmacy can expand access to immunizations is obviously important on several fronts, but it really makes one stop and wonder: What could be done if laws didn't vary by state in terms of what types of vaccinations pharmacists can deliver?

April 3, 2012
Walgreens immunization studies: Pharmacy instrumental in helping states combat disease

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.

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.

November 7, 2011
MinuteClinic prepares for new meningitis vaccine mandate in Texas

CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic has prepared all of its Texas-based clinics for an increased demand for the meningococcal vaccine for bacterial meningitis following a bill signed into law last May, whereby Texas will become the first state in the country to require that all college students receive one dose or booster of the meningococcal vaccine for bacterial meningitis.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic has prepared all of its Texas-based clinics for an increased demand for the meningococcal vaccine for bacterial meningitis following a bill signed into law last May, whereby Texas will become the first state in the country to require that all college students receive one dose or booster of the meningococcal vaccine for bacterial meningitis. The requirement goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2012.

August 4, 2011
NASN, Sanofi Pasteur team up to raise awareness of meningitis

Meningococcal meningitis is rare but can kill preteens and teenagers in as little as a day. Yet many kids still engage in behaviors that put them at risk of contracting the disease despite not being vaccinated.

NEW YORK — Meningococcal meningitis is rare but can kill preteens and teenagers in as little as a day. Yet many kids still engage in behaviors that put them at risk of contracting the disease despite not being vaccinated.

August 1, 2010
MinuteClinic offers one-stop shop for back-to-school services

MinuteClinic is reminding shoppers that back-to-school physicals and immunizations are available for both children and...

July 12, 2010
Fla. nurses, health officials urge teens to get meningitis vaccine

Nurses and health officials in Florida have joined a campaign to educate parents about the...

ORLANDO, Fla. Nurses and health officials in Florida have joined a campaign to educate parents about the dangers of meningitis.

The Florida Association of School Nurses and the Orange County Health Department are working with the Voices of Meningitis campaign to urge parents to vaccinate preteens and teenagers against meningococcal disease.