Content about vaccination

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The nation’s largest retailer is expanding an in-store healthcare initiative involving 10 types of immunizations administered at its stores through Nov. 15.

Walmart said it is working with Mollen Immunization Clinics to provide 10 of the immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at 2,700 stores. In addition, the company said flu and pneumonia vaccines would be available at all 3,800 stores with pharmacies.

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.

BOULDER, Colo. — Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy on Tuesday announced that it now is offering immunizations for influenza, whooping cough, pneumonia and shingles on a walk-in basis at all of its locations. Pharmaca pharmacists can provide the shots to any customer who requests one during open pharmacy hours.
 

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.

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.

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.

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.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Supervalu pharmacies are offering the pertussis (Tdap) vaccine booster at the majority of its nearly 800 pharmacies, the company announced Tuesday.

“We have seen a tremendous increase in the number of cases of whooping cough throughout the country,” stated Chris Dimos, president of Supervalu Pharmacies. “It is strongly recommended from many state health department agencies that all teenagers and adults who have not had the Tdap vaccine get immunized to prevent the spread of this very contagious disease.”

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday held a press briefing regarding the growing number of whooping cough cases in Washington state, which, according to the CDC, is reflective of how pertussis cases are trending nationally.

HOUSTON — Retail-based clinic operator RediClinic is gearing up for the back-to-school season by offering $10 off a school physical for those who “like” RediClinic on Facebook.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens is offering immunizations against whooping cough in Kansas as an epidemic of the disease spreads around the state, the retail pharmacy chain said.

Walgreens said it would offer the Tdap vaccine at all of its 67 stores in Kansas and its 195 stores in Missouri in pharmacies and Take Care Clinics.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has reported 56 cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, as of June 11, compared with the 52 cases reported for the entire year of 2011.