Content about Vaccines

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart on Monday implemented a discounted offer on flu shots to those who have not yet been vaccinated.

Kmart said it is offering customers $15 flu shots, while supplies last, and also will offer 15,000 points (a $15 value) to members of its Shop Your Way Rewards loyalty program, when a vaccination is purchased.

The flu shots are available at more than 500 Kmart Pharmacy locations and are administered by trained practitioners.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday unveiled a new National Vaccine Plan to enhance coordination of all aspects of federal vaccine and immunization activities with the goal to ensure that all Americans can gain access to vaccines.

“Vaccines are a critical cornerstone of the public health system,” stated Howard Koh, assistant secretary for health for HHS. “The National Vaccine Plan articulates a vision that will ensure that the nation’s prevention strategies protect the public for the next decade and beyond.”

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention measured a steady rise in influenza — both in number of cases and severity — for the week ended Feb. 5.

There are 19 states that now are experiencing high levels of influenza-like illnesses as measured by outpatient visits — a measuring stick that provides a sense as to how severe the flu might be in a community but not how prevalent it is. The proportion of outpatient visits for ILI was 4.6%, which is above the national baseline of 2.5%.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Take Care Health Systems announced Thursday that through April 30, the retail clinic operator will be offering sports and camp physicals for $35. The physicals, regularly $60, are administered by board-certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants at select Walgreens locations.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday updated the nation’s influenza status. Nine states are reporting high influenza-like activity (a metric that captures the severity of a flu outbreak) and 25 states are reporting widespread activity (a metric that captures the estimated level of spread of influenza activity through state and territorial epidemiologists reports.)

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Despite an increase in flu activity, a recent CVS/pharmacy survey showed that 56% of respondents still had not received their flu shot, although 93% were aware that there already have been reported cases of the flu this season, the pharmacy retailer stated.

Flu activity steadily is increasing in the United States, with eight states now having reported widespread outbreaks of influenza cases, according CVS/pharmacy, which cited the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.

SEATTLE — In an effort to help people in local underserved communities and students in need stay well this flu season, Bartell Drugs will give 4,000 flu vaccines to the University of Washington and Washington State University for use in pharmacy programs at both universities. Each school will receive 2,000 doses of the current flu vaccines to support local student pharmacy outreach programs.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has set aside the week of Dec. 5 to observe this season's National Influenza Vaccination Week. The week-long emphasis on flu vaccination was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as foster greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond.

LUBBOCK, Texas — United Supermarkets' family of stores is recognizing National Influenza Vaccination Week by offering customers a $20 flu vaccine special.

The national observance, which runs from Dec. 5 through Dec. 11, was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as fostering greater distribution of the flu vaccine during the holiday season, into January and beyond, , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccine will be offered at United Supermarkets, Market Street and Amigos United pharmacies.

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)

SAN DIEGO The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have signed with Brickfish to launch a social awareness program around the importance of getting the flu vaccine for the 2010-2011 flu season, Brickfish announced Tuesday.

The program, “The Flu Ends With U,” asks consumers for their help in creating public service announcements to assist in getting the word out via online and social media.

BASEL, Switzerland An investigative vaccine made by Novartis appears to offer good protection against meningococcal disease in infants, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial released Monday.

The Swiss drug maker said results of a phase-3 trial showed that Menveo (meningococcal group A, C, W135 and Y) induced immune responses in a high percentage of babies against four strains of the bacteria. Meningococcal disease occurs suddenly and can cause serious illness and often death during the first year of life.