Content about vaccinations

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart has announced that it is providing seasonal flu vaccinations at its more than 900 Kmart pharmacies nationwide.

In addition, members of Kmart Pharmacy's Prescription Savings Club will pay just $20 for the flu shot. Kmart Pharmacy also offers the high-dose flu shot (indicated for those ages 65 years and older). Many prescription insurance programs cover flu shots, including Medicare Part B and D.

CINCINNATI — Kroger has discontinued offering needle-free clinical devices to administer flu vaccinations at all pharmacies and The Little Clinic locations.

Kroger said that its decision was based on guidance from the Food and Drug Administration that advised healthcare professionals not to use needle-free clinical devices to administer flu shots.

Kroger said it is seeking guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the FDA regarding revaccinations.

BAGSVAERD, Denmark — A lot has been happening at Swiss drug maker Novartis in the realm of vaccines.


In July, the company began early shipment of its flu vaccine, Fluvirin, in order to ensure that patients can receive the earliest possible protection against influenza. The drug maker plans to ship more than 30 million doses.


DEERFIELD, Ill. — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius will receive her seasonal flu vaccine and will talk about the importance of prevention measures and flu season preparedness Wednesday morning at a Walgreens "health and daily living" pilot store in Chicago.

The secretary also will tour the store with Walgreens president and CEO Greg Wasson, who will highlight the store's ability to offer accessible, preventive health services, such as flu vaccinations and diabetes care in underserved communities.

NEW YORK — Health experts have expressed fear that Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann's comments about the human papillomavirus vaccine could set back progress in vaccinations, according to published reports.

The New York Times quoted experts as saying that vaccination rates often drop when public figures raise alarms about vaccines, including one who said it could set back efforts to vaccinate against human papillomavirus — a sexually transmitted infection that causes genital warts and several cancers in men and women — by three years.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday awarded $137 million to states to boost prevention and public health initiatives, including support for smoking-cessation programs and vaccinations.

Awarded in nearly every state, the grants enhance state, tribal, local and territorial efforts to provide tobacco cessation services, strengthen public health laboratory and immunization services, prevent healthcare-associated infections, and provide comprehensive substance abuse prevention and treatment.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie Stores on Wednesday announced that flu vaccinations are now available in all Winn-Dixie in-store pharmacies to help prepare guests for the upcoming flu season. Guests will receive the flu vaccine for the discounted rate of $24.99 when purchased using their Winn-Dixie Customer Reward Card.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — To help families prepare for the back-to-school season, MinuteClinic said that it is offering adolescent vaccinations and sports physicals seven days a week, with no appointment necessary.

MinuteClinic said it is offering several vaccines, including:

• Pertussis (whooping cough), which is now required in California for all students entering 7th through 12th grade;

• Meningitis, which is required for both secondary school and college in many states; and

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark is gearing up for flu season and will leverage both its CVS/pharmacy locations and MinuteClinic sites to provide flu shots for patients every day, including evenings and weekends, and will offer direct medical billing to many national and regional health plans that will cover all or part of the cost of a flu shot.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The U.S. Department of Defense has issued a final rule that, effective Aug. 12, expands the scope of retail pharmacy-provided vaccination services in the TRICARE military healthcare program for the nation’s military, retirees and their families.
 

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The Louisiana State Senate has given the green light to legislation that would expand pharmacy's ability to administer immunizations, and now the House of Representatives is slated to vote on the legislation in the coming days. The passage of SB 60 is important because expanding the pharmacist's ability to administer vaccinations is a relatively low-cost way to expand access and ultimately improve outcomes.

Bartell Drugs, a family-owned regional chain since 1890, has still got it. The chain has brought together health and personal care by sponsoring health and beauty events, the first of which happened in October 2010 and featured health screenings, cosmetic demonstrations and hairstyling tips. Another event is scheduled for the fall.