HEALTH NEWS YOU CAN USE
October 1, 2018: New and updated information in this report includes the following four items. First, vaccine viruses included in the 2018–19 U.S. trivalent influenza vaccines will be an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09–like virus, an A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 (H3N2)-like virus, and a B/Colorado/06/2017–like virus (Victoria lineage). Quadrivalent influenza vaccines will contain these three viruses and an additional influenza B vaccine virus, a B/Phuket/3073/2013–like virus (Yamagata lineage). Second, recommendations for the use of LAIV4 (FluMist Quadrivalent) have been updated. Following two seasons (2016–17 and 2017–18) during which ACIP recommended that LAIV4 not be used, for the 2018–19 season, vaccination providers may choose to administer any licensed, age-appropriate influenza vaccine (IIV, RIV4, or LAIV4). LAIV4 is an option for those for whom it is appropriate. Third, persons with a history of egg allergy of any severity may receive any licensed, recommended, and age-appropriate influenza vaccine (IIV, RIV4, or LAIV4). Additional recommendations concerning vaccination of egg-allergic persons are discussed. Finally, information on recent licensures and labeling changes is discussed, including expansion of the age indication for Afluria Quadrivalent (IIV4) from ≥18 years to ≥5 years and expansion of the age indication for Fluarix Quadrivalent (IIV4), previously licensed for ≥3 years, to ≥6 months. This report focuses on the recommendations for use of vaccines for the prevention and control of influenza during the 2018–19 season in the United States. A Background Document containing further information and a brief summary of these recommendations is available and Influenza ACIP Vaccine Recommendations. See 2018-19 Summary of Flu Vaccine Recommendations for the complete summary.
August 8, 2016: FDA approves the first generic for the antiviral prescription medication TAMIFLU capsules just in time for this season's respiratory flu season. Tamiflu must be prescribed within the first 48 hours of developing flu symptoms to be effective. (www.tamiflu.com for more information)
August 3, 2016: First United States Zika Virus Human Vaccine Trials utilizing 80 healthy volunteers in Atlanta, Bethesda and Baltimore begin Phase I trials to determine the DNA based vaccine's "safety" in humans. Results expected in January 2017, volunteers will be followed for 2+ years.
Seasonal Flu shots...the time is NOW! (September 8, 2016)
Anyone age 6 months and up need a yearly flu shot especially pregnant women at any trimester of their pregnancy and those with respiratory ailments and children. Seasonal flu shots have arrived in most community pharmacies for 2016-2017 and they are being administered right now by community pharmacists.
The CDC found 4 years ago that based on current and ongoing research has proven that people can get their flu shot as soon as they are available each and every year which will still provide full coverage throughout the flu season. As a caller so appropriately asked on today's LIVE call in show she can get a flu shot now and it is NOT too early.
Again this year, there will be a variety of choices, trivalent(which covers 3 strains), quadrivalent(which contains 4 strains) and high dose for those over age 65. Absent this year will be Flutist as the CDC and Academy of Pediatricians deemed the nasal mist as not beneficial the past 2 flu seasons and thus will not be an option this year for people.
The time of year one obtains the vaccine does not equate into better or lesser coverage and was not the reason for only about a 19% effectiveness rate of coverage against the circulating strains that arrived last year. As I explain to my patients and listeners, ANY % of protection is better than 0% with the flu vaccine and for that fact any disease preventing vaccine we have to offer...a vast majority of years the flu vaccine provides 60-80% protection.
Key message: GET YOUR FLU SHOT NOW AND ESPECIALLY GET THE FLU SHOT TAKEN CARE OF FOR YOUR SCHOOL AGE AND COLLEGE AGE CHILDREN. BESIDES YOUR COMMUNITY PHARMACIST, DOCTORS OFFICES ARE STILL EXCELLENT PLACES TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF BUT MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE FINALLY PARTNERING WITH LOCAL CLINICS, NURSES, PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, PHARMACISTS LIKE I HAVE ADVOCATED SINCE 1996...YES, ALMOST 20 YEARS! (SEE PHOTO GALLERY)
Seasonal Flu Shots Are Arriving In Community Pharmacies. (October 1, 2014)
Now is the perfect time for everyone 6 months and older to obtain their seasonal flu shot for 2014-15 at the provider of their choice. Most pharmacists across the United States are certified and trained to administer flu shots as soon as their supply arrives. October is an excellent time to get this important preventative health action completed.
A shot given now does give protection throughout the entire flu season, the latest studies from the Centers for Disease Control(CDC) indicate that current yearly flu vaccines provide protection for 12+ months and so when flu vaccine becomes available for each season people should get their shot. While no vaccine is 100% effective in preventing any disease, protection from the flu shot or nasal spray ranges from 65-85% based on your age.
I was an early pharmacist advocate of patients getting a yearly flu shot to prevent disease since the late 80's and had the idea that "hosting" flu shot clinics at a community pharmacy (in the mid 90's) would grant greater access and send a strong message that the flu shot was truly for everyone. In 1996, I hosted the Goodhue County Public Health Nurses Pine Island flu shot clinic at the pharmacy one afternoon and they provided 180 shots compared to 30 that they usually provided at the local Senior Citizens' Center.
Take a look at our photo gallery for photos of my very first flu shot clinic hosted at my pharmacy practice back in 1996 together with Goodhue County Public Health. Perhaps, the first pharmacist to do so in Minnesota and maybe even the nation. We vaccinated 180 individuals that day in 3 hours! It was only the beginning to a career of providing disease preventing vaccines in a community pharmacy practice!
To date from 1998 through 2008, my community pharmacy based flu shot clinics in Rochester, MN have provided nearly 18,000 shots for influenza, pneumonia, hepatitis, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
A shot given now does give protection throughout the entire flu season, the latest studies from the Centers for Disease Control(CDC) indicate that current yearly flu vaccines provide protection for 12+ months and so when flu vaccine becomes available for each season people should get their shot. While no vaccine is 100% effective in preventing any disease, protection from the flu shot or nasal spray ranges from 65-85% based on your age.
I was an early pharmacist advocate of patients getting a yearly flu shot to prevent disease since the late 80's and had the idea that "hosting" flu shot clinics at a community pharmacy (in the mid 90's) would grant greater access and send a strong message that the flu shot was truly for everyone. In 1996, I hosted the Goodhue County Public Health Nurses Pine Island flu shot clinic at the pharmacy one afternoon and they provided 180 shots compared to 30 that they usually provided at the local Senior Citizens' Center.
Take a look at our photo gallery for photos of my very first flu shot clinic hosted at my pharmacy practice back in 1996 together with Goodhue County Public Health. Perhaps, the first pharmacist to do so in Minnesota and maybe even the nation. We vaccinated 180 individuals that day in 3 hours! It was only the beginning to a career of providing disease preventing vaccines in a community pharmacy practice!
To date from 1998 through 2008, my community pharmacy based flu shot clinics in Rochester, MN have provided nearly 18,000 shots for influenza, pneumonia, hepatitis, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
