Flu News for Senior Citizens

Poll Finds Just 74 Percent of Senior Citizens Planning on Flu Shots This Year

CVS, MinuteClinic, Walgreens, Walmart, Maxim begin offering flu shots this week

Oct. 2, 2008 - Senior citizens are the most likely to get a flu shot with 74 percent of those age 65 and older planning to be vaccinated, compared to 58 percent of those age 55-64 and 43% of adults younger than 55, according to a CVS/pharmacy survey. Read more...

CVS, MinuteClinic Begin Flu Shots October 1 with Goal of One Million Vaccinations

Will offer flu shots every day without an appointment; sponsor 7,500 flu clinics

Sept. 10, 2008 – The annual push to push senior citizens into getting flu shots got off to an aggressive start today with an announcement by CVS/pharmacy and Minute Clinic of a commitment to prevent flu by delivering one million flu vaccinations. The program begins October 1. Read more... Watch Video

CDC Releases 1918 Pandemic Flu Storybook Relating Stories of Many Survivors

Recognizes 90^th anniversary of scourge that killed millions around world

Elmer Kretzschmar, 95 tells his story about 1918

Aug. 22, 2008 - In recognition of the 90th anniversary of the 1918 influenza pandemic, which killed millions of people around the world, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released today an online storybook containing narratives from survivors, families, and friends about one of the largest scourges ever on human kind. Read more...

National Flu Vaccination Week Hopes to Motivate Stragglers to Get It Done

'The time to get vaccinated continues in December, January, and later,' CDC

	Flu Shot Locator
	• National Flu Shot Locator (by Zip Code)

Nov. 24, 2007 – Most senior citizens, by this time of year, have already received a potentially life-saving flu shot. But, some have not. It is these stragglers that are the target of National Influenza Vaccination Week, which starts November 26 and ends December 2. Sponsors include the Centers for Disease Control, Health and Human Services and the National Influenza Vaccine Summit. Read more...

Flu Vaccine Found to be Less Effective Last Year but Worked for Seniors

Survey finds more people getting shot and flu than in past years

May 7, 2007 - A new Harris Poll suggests that the flu vaccine used before last winter may have been less effective than the vaccines used in some previous years. The adults who had flu shots before last winter were only 24 percent less likely to get the flu than those who were not vaccinated. In the two previous years Harris has found a larger difference in protection – 45% in 2004/05 and 33% in 2003/04. The good news is 73% of senior citizens got a flu shot and fewer got the flu last year than any other adult age group. Read more...

Flu Vaccine Produced in Insect Cells May Speed Development in Emergency

Preliminary study finds it safe, successful in adults; faster than eggs

April 11, 2007 – A fear of many involved in preparing for an outbreak of avian flu and a possible pandemic has been the dependency on the slow process of developing the influenza vaccines in chicken eggs. Now, scientists have found a promising alternative to create vaccine to treat seasonal and pandemic influenza – insect cells. The vaccine produced appeared safe and produced an immunogenic response in healthy adults in a preliminary study reported in the April 11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Read more...

Senior Citizens May be Safer Than Young Adults in Flu Pandemic, Study Finds

1918 pandemic tended to kill the young, as has recent bird flu

March 1, 2007 - Evidence is mounting that senior citizens and the elderly may not be the ones most in danger should there be an avian influenza pandemic, contrary to what many have predicted, according to a new report that looked at studies of the 1918 influenza pandemic. One of the great unsolved mysteries surrounding this “Spanish Flu” pandemic is why it tended to kill the young and healthy, rather than older people, say the authors. Read more...

Yearly Flu Shot Senior Citizens Get May Offer Some Protection from H5N1

St. Jude studies show N1 protein in seasonal flu vaccine can trigger an antibody response to avian flu virus

	Flu Shot Locator
	• National Flu Shot Locator (by Zip Code)

Feb. 13, 2007 – The annual flu shot that Medicare provides and every senior citizen should be getting, may also offer protection from the bird flu virus, H5N1, at least for some people, according to investigators at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Read more...

Government Paying $102.6 Million to See if Peramivir Can Protect Against Bird Flu

HHS says drug has shown effectiveness against a number of influenza strains

January 4, 2007 – There may be a new tool in the war against the bird flu that threatens a world pandemic. At least the government is betting $102.6 million on it. Health & Human Services today announced they have awarded the money to Bio Cryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., for development of their influenza antiviral drug, peramivir. The funding will also pay to see if it is an effective treatment for the H5N1 virus. Read more...

As H5N1 Virus Concern Grows, U.S. Buys Additional Influenza Vaccine

U.S. wants to prepare to protect 20 million from pandemic

November 20, 2006 – The U.S. government has taken another step toward building a stockpile of vaccine to protect 20 million people in the event of an influenza pandemic. The newest vaccine purchases of 5.3 million doses supplements the existing stockpile of 5.9 million doses of H5N1 vaccine. Health & Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced the department has awarded contracts totaling $199.45 million to three vaccine makers to the 90-microgram doses. Read more...

CDC Sets Last Week in November as National Flu Vaccination Week

Plenty of vaccine delivered, seniors urged to get shots even if late

	Flu Shot Locator
	• National Flu Shot Locator (by Zip Code)

November 13, 2006 – The week after Thanksgiving has been designated at National Influenza Vaccination Week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in an effort to urge Americans – senior citizens in particular – to get a flu vaccination, even if it is in December or later. The primary focus has been on urging shots in October and November. Read more...

Public Health Leaders Want Pandemic Planning Moved to HHS from Homeland Security

American Public Health Association launches its own effort to better inform public

November 7, 2006 - The American Public Health Association today voted to adopt new policy that supports comprehensive national planning for an influenza pandemic and recommends key changes to the current response strategy, including ensuring care for vulnerable populations, such as, senior citizens, and making the Department of Health & Human Services the lead agency for pandemic flu planning, rather than the Department of Homeland Security. Read more...

Election Day is Good Day for Seniors Citizens to Get Flu Shot While Out

74% of 65+ say they plan to get shot but we need 100%

By Tucker Sutherland, editor

	Flu Shot Locator
	• National Flu Shot Locator (by Zip Code)

November 7, 2006 – Today is Election Day, and also a good day to get your flu shot while you are out. In some communities these vaccinations are even being offered at the polls. A recent Rasmussen Reports survey found that 74 percent of America's senior citizens – those ages 65 and older – plan to get a flu shot this year. That's not enough. We need 100%. Read more...

Light Activated Coating That Kills Viruses Like Flu is Headed to Market

'These are applications that can change the world,' says scientist

October 31, 2006 - Imagine if killing flu viruses and other microbes were as simple as turning on a light. Exposing a unique surface coating to light may in fact hold the key to protecting us from virtually all viruses and bacteria, including the feared avian flu. It's being touted as a possible "anti-pandemic" agent. Read more...

Flu Clinics are Open for Business, Wal-Mart Shooting for a Million People

Senior citizens have many options for free flu shots this season

	Flu Shot Locator
	• National Flu Shot Locator (by Zip Code) • CVS Flu Clinics • Walgreen's • Longs Drug

October 19, 2006 – Flu shot clinics – free to senior citizens on Medicare – are busy all over the U.S. These clinics are easy to locate and there is an ample supply of vaccine, especially for the high-risk older Americans. Wal-Mart and its associated Sam's Club, partnering with Theraflu, claim to be hosting the nation's largest flu vaccination event this month and their target is immunize a million people. Read more...

Flu Medicine Heavily Hoarded in 2005 but Not by Endangered Senior Citizens

300% jump in prescriptions by healthiest Americans after pandemic alert

October 17, 2006 – There was extensive hoarding of the antiviral medication Tamiflu last year after the news media warned of avian flu and America learned to fear the word "pandemic." It was not, however, the senior citizens, the age group most likely to get the flu and whose lives are most endangered, that were doing the hoarding. It was the 50 through 64 year olds who were filling the most prescriptions. Read more...

Maybe One-Two Punch Will Knock Out Deadly Bird Flu Virus

Seeking solution to anti-Pandemic dilemma of not knowing the virus we are trying to stop

October 13, 2006 – Scientist around the world are scrambling to find a vaccine that can prevent bird flu in humans and, thus, protect humanity from a deadly pandemic. But there is a problem – the bird flu virus we need to stop probably does not even exist, yet, which makes it difficult to design a preventive medicine. But researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center think they are on to something – a one-two punch that has worked in a small trial. Read more...

Maybe Anti-Flu Protection can be Delivered in a Cocktail to Prevent Even Bird Flu

Peptide blocks flu virus from entering cells, thwarting its ability to replicate

October 5, 2006 – With most senior citizens facing a flu shot in the near future, they may appreciate the work of researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that say they have discovered a novel compound that offers broad protection against influenza viruses, including deadly avian influenza. Here's the best part – this protection may be delivered in an anti-influenza cocktail, rather than with a needle. Read more...

Senior Citizens Have No Reason to Skip Flu, Pneumonia Shots This Year

Shots are free for most seniors, in most neighborhoods, plentiful

	Flu Shot Locator
	• National Flu Shot Locator (by Zip Code) • CVS Flu Clinics • Walgreen's • Longs Drug

October 4, 2006 – There is no reason for senior citizens not to get flu and pneumonia vaccine inoculations this year – there are more vaccine doses available than ever before, the shots are paid for by Medicare Part B and Medicaid and an online flu shot locator (see below) can help easily find where shots are available near home. Still, statistics show, many will not, which puts them endanger and can help spread the diseases to others. Read more...

Flu Shots Encouraged for Heart Patients in New Advisory as Flu Season Nears

American Heart Association reminds seniors its time for flu shots

September 29, 2006 - The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology are asking heart doctors to do something they may not normally do — give flu shots to their patients. However, patients with cardiovascular disease should not get the nasal-spray flu vaccine. This is a significant new recommendation for this flu season, with senior citizens and other high risk individuals. Read more...

Record Number of Flu Vaccine Doses Headed for U.S. Market

CDC says most vaccine providers should have vaccine in October

September 6, 2006 – A record number of doses of influenza vaccine will be available this year, according to an announcement today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine manufacturers are expecting to produce and distribute more than 100 million doses of influenza vaccines in the United States between now and early January, 2007 - at least 17 million more doses than has ever been distributed. Read more...

Avian Flu News for Senior Citizens

Discovery of Bird Flu Virus Structure Could Herald Better Drugs

Tamiflu only drug shown effective against H5N1, but there were human deaths in Asia where bird flu resisted the drug

By David McAlary
Voice of America, Washington - 16 August 2006

British researchers have taken a step that could lead to more potent drugs against the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus. They have peered inside a key protein on the surface of the virus, obtaining structural information that chemists could use to design new drugs to block it. Read more...

Pandemic News for Senior Citizens

Bird Flu Found in Michigan Swans Not the H5N1 Strain - Just H5 and N1

No threat to human health says Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

August 14, 2006 – Two Michigan swans were found to have an H5 and an N1 but they don't fit together to make H5N1. These avian influenza subtypes have been found in two wild mute swans but the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Interior have ruled out the possibility of this being the H5N1 strain that has spread through birds in other parts of the world and caused a number of human deaths. Tests results indicate there is no threat to human health from the Michigan swans, according to a news release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Testing, however, is continuing. Read more...

Senior Citizen Health & Medicine

Studies Show Only Modest Benefits of Flu Shots Among Older Adults

By Becky Ham, Science Writer
Health Behavior News Service

July 18, 2006 - Although national and international health organizations urge anyone over age 65 to get yearly flu shots, the vaccinations are only modestly effective in preventing flu and its complications among older adults, according to a new review of recent studies. Read more...

Avian Flu News for Senior Citizens

Pandemic Flu Preparedness Gets More U.S. Funding as Threat Marches On

June 16, 2006 – Although the threat of pandemic flu seems to have dropped considerably as a concern of Americans, the Congress yesterday approved an emergency funding request of $2.3 billion for pandemic preparedness. And, the threat still grows as China today reported its 19th case of H5N1 avian influenza and the World Health Organization tracking shows there have already been more cases and deaths from bird flu in these early months of 2006 than in any of the last three years. Read more...

HHS Secretary Lays Out Pandemic Plan for Elderly

Senate aging committee focuses on preparation for pandemic

May 25, 2006 – At a hearing this morning by the Senate's Special Committee on Aging on "Preparing For Pandemic Flu," Health & Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt said, "two federal advisory committees have recommended HHS prioritize elderly populations, "particularly those with 1 or more influenza high-risk condition, for vaccine administration and antiviral drug use." He added, however, "these recommendations will be reviewed and possibly revised." Read more...

Flu News for Senior Citizens

Higher Dose of Flu Vaccine Improves Immune Response in the Elderly

Senior citizens with double dose had up to 79% more antibody

May 22, 2006 - There may be a simple way to provide elderly Americans with extra protection against the annual flu virus: give them a higher dose of seasonal flu vaccine. This idea is suggested by the results of a newly reported clinical trial supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Read more...

'Holy Grail' of Flu Vaccines Successful in St. Jude Test

Vaccine protected animals from bird and human influenza virus

May 2, 2006 – Senior citizens, considered among the most vulnerable should a bird flu pandemic erupt, may find hope in research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital that has discovered that a new vaccine protects mice and ferrets from a highly lethal avian influenza virus. Read more...

Relenza Inhaler Approved for Prevention of A and B Flu; Stockpiled for Pandemic

Second drug option for Americans to prevent and treat flu

March 31, 2006 – Although not a substitute for the flu vaccine, Relenza, an inhaler administered drug, has been approved for prevention of influenza A and B virus infections in adults and children. In one of the clinical trials used for the approval, which consisted primarily of senior citizens, the percent that developed symptoms confirmed to be flu were reduced from 1.4% of those on placebo to 0.2% for those who used Relenza. It is being stockpiled by the U.S. for use in a possible bird flu pandemic. Read more...

Bird Flu Vaccine Supply Shrinks with News It Takes Double Dose to Work

Even then it only worked in half the participants - no seniors included

March 30, 2006 – The U.S. supply of vaccine to prevent bird flu (H5N1) just got cut at least in half by the report of a clinical trial that found it took two doses to achieve immunity, and that was only in about half the patients. This trial, incidentally, included no senior citizens – people over age 64 – who are considered most in danger should an avian flu pandemic strike. Read more...

Marketing Program Could Boost Elderly Flu Vaccinations, Save Lives

10-year federal flu vaccination program could save more than 6,500 lives

By Krista Hopson

March 24, 2006 - To increase influenza vaccinations rates among the elderly – those ages 65 and over who are at high risk for influenza-related mortality – the federal government could consider borrowing a page from the pharmaceutical companies' prescription drug advertising campaigns. Read more...

Seniors' Avian Flu Alert

U.S. Now Has 26 Million Avian Flu Antiviral Treatments to Fight Pandemic

Death toll at 27 in first three months of 2006, compared to 44 in all of 2005

	Coming State Summits

March 23, 2006 - HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt yesterday announced additional purchases of six million antiviral drug treatments that could be used in the event of a potential influenza pandemic. With these purchases, the Strategic National Stockpile will have a total of 26 million treatment courses of antiviral drugs for distribution to the states when an influenza pandemic is deemed to be imminent. Deaths worldwide from the feared Avian Flu or Bird Flu have now reached 27 compared to 44 for all of last year, according to the World Health Organization. Read more...

Flu Shots Work Best in Married Senior Citizens, Worst in Those Sad

March 20, 2006 – Senior citizens who are happily married show stronger responses to flu shots that those who are unmarried, especially those who are widowed. And, flu shots do not work as well in older adults who have recently experienced the death of a family member or close friend, a new study shows. Read more...

Vaccinated Senior Citizens Less Likely to Die from Pneumonia

March 16, 2006 – It may be unclear if the vaccination for pneumonia will prevent the deadly disease, but a new study says senior citizens hospitalized for pneumonia and who received the pneumococcal vaccine are at a lower risk of dying from the disease than those who haven’t been vaccinated. Prior vaccination also reduces patients’ risk of developing medical complications and decreases their length of stay in the hospital, according to an article in the Clinical Infectious Diseases, April 15 issue and now available online. Read more...

Senior Health Alert

Don't Use Amantadine or Rimandatine to Treat Flu, Warns CDC

Evidence indicates Influenza A viruses in US are resistant to these drugs

Jan. 15, 2006 – The Centers for Disease Control yesterday issued an urgent health alert warning Americans not to rely on the antiviral drugs amantadine or rimantadine to treat influenza infection. The agency says a resistance to the medicines has developed in much of the US influenza A virus. Amantadine, however, is also used to treat Parkinson’s disease, and should continue to be used for this treatment. Read more...

Respiratory Syncytial Virus May Kill as Many Elderly as Flu

How to prevent it? Wash your hands.

Jan. 13, 2006 - Infectious disease experts at the University of Rochester Medical Center have tracked the dangers from one of the most common winter bugs, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and they say the threat to some groups of people, such as the elderly, equals that from flu. Even though flu gets all the press, RSV is a stealth bug worthy of attention too. Read more...

HHS Announces $100 Million to Accelerate State and Local Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Efforts

Jan. 12, 2006 - Health and Human Services today announced $100 million in funding for state and local governments to help prepare for a possible influenza pandemic. These grants will be awarded to all 50 states, 7 territories, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Each state will receive a minimum of $500,000, with additional allocation of funds by population. In addition to the state grants, funds are being awarded to New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles County. He also announced a preparedness checklist for community organizations. Read more...

Senior Flu Watch

Tamiflu Provides Flu Tracker Download to Keep Eye on Flu Spread

Website tools make it easy for senior citizens to get current info online

Jan. 12, 2006 – The marketer of Tamiflu, the top-selling treatment for seasonal flu and currently being used to treat bird flu, is providing online tools that many senior citizens may want to use to track the seasonal flu threat in their area. The latest is the upgraded Desktop Flu Tracker that allows users to track the spread of flu in any community in the continental US. They also have the Zip Code Tracker that allows you to enter your zip code and get an immediate graphic showing the flu threat in your community compared to the US average. Read more...

Flu Update: State Planning Summits Begin as H5N1 Deaths Spread to Turkey

HHS issues pandemic planning book for families, seasonal flu steady

Jan. 6, 2006 – While the war in Iraq and corruption in government grab the headlines, senior citizens, the most vulnerable to influenza, need to keep their eyes on the war against the flu, both pandemic and seasonal. HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced a new guide to help American families guard against the avian flu (pandemic) at a statewide planning session in Arizona. Yesterday, the World Health Organization confirmed two deaths from H5N1 in Turkey, the first outside of East Asia. Meanwhile, the regular flu season in the U.S. seems to be under control. Read more...

Senior Alerts

Avian Flu Treatments Found Fraudulent by FDA

Dec. 14, 2004 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to nine companies marketing bogus flu products behind claims that their products could be effective against preventing the avian flu or other forms of influenza. FDA is not aware of any scientific evidence that demonstrates the safety or effectiveness of these products for treating or preventing avian flu and the agency is concerned that the use of these products could harm consumers or interfere with conventional treatments. Read more...

Pandemic Planning Moves to Community Level

Feds gather state and local officials to develop cooperative plans

Dec. 5, 2005 – The U.S. effort to ward off a possible influenza pandemic went local today as Health and Human Services convened senior state and local officials at a meeting in Washington to focus on moving pandemic planning to the community level. Read more...

Flu Expert Calls For Mandatory Vaccination of Health Care Workers

Only 40 percent getting shots puts patients, in particular senior citizens, at high risk

Nov. 9, 2005 – Expressing a view that is sure to draw debate, a Johns Hopkins' senior hospital epidemiologist and flu expert is calling for mandatory vaccination of all health care workers as the best means of protecting patients and hospital staff from widespread outbreaks of the viral illness. Studies by other researchers show that voluntary vaccination programs don't do the job and that each year, nearly 40,000 Americans die from influenza, many of them elderly or ill, with weakened immune systems that cannot readily fend off the disease. Read more...

Pandemic Flu Plan for Health Care System Released by HHS

Nov. 2, 2005 – Health and Human Services got into the Pandemic strategic act today when HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt released the HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan, which is described as “a detailed guide for how our nation's health care system can prepare and respond to an influenza pandemic.” The HHS plan is the medical and public health component of the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza, announced by the President yesterday. Read more...

Pandemic Flu Questions Answered by CDC Director

Nov. 1, 2005 - Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director, Centers for Disease Control, answers questions about the possible flu pandemic after President Bush outlines his strategy for the war on the pandemic. Read more...

President Asks Congress for $7.1 Billion for War on Pandemic

Bush outlines pandemic flu strategy of preparation and response

Nov. 1, 2005 – President Bush said today the key elements of the U.S. strategy to avoid the pandemic flu are to detect outbreaks anywhere in the world, to stockpile vaccines and antiviral drugs, as well as improve our ability to rapidly produce new vaccines, and prepare to respond at all levels of government should a pandemic reach the U.S. He also asked Congress for $7.1 billion in emergency funding to carry out the strategy. Read more...

---

New Website on National Pandemic Strategy

Nov. 1, 2005 – At the same time President Bush was announcing his strategy for the war on the possible pandemic flu in the U.S., the White House posted a new Website called the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza. It is divided into sections that provide an easily searchable presentation. To visit the site – click here.

---

Doctor Charged for Fake Flu Shots Given to Senior Citizens

Oct. 31,205 – A doctor is accused of giving flu shots of purified water, rather than flu vaccine, to at least 14 senior citizens that lived in a nursing home near La Porte, Texas, and to more than 1,000 employees of Exxon Mobile near Baytown.  His motive, says the government, was to defraud Medicare. The news created a scary vision for many seniors this Halloween day. Read more...

Tamiflu Vaccine Shipments to U.S. Halted by Manufacturer

Tamiflu, Relenza antiviral drugs primarily for regular flu but seen as help in avian flu battle and hoarding suspected

Oct. 28, 2005 – The manufacturer of Tamiflu, a vaccine primarily for the regular seasonal flu, but also considered as help against avian flu, has announced a halt to shipments of their vaccine to the U.S. Excessive orders have led the company to believe their drug is being hoarded by companies anticipating a high demand if avian flu should emerge in this country. Read more...

Senior Citizens Needed for Testing First Avian Flu Vaccine

Oct. 28, 2005 – Senior citizens, age 65 and over, are needed for a clinical trial of the first vaccine that targets the deadly avian flu virus. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn., is now enrolling volunteers. Dr. Kathryn Edwards says 100 seniors are needed for this second phase of the study for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Read more...

HHS Increases Buy of Pandemic Bird Flu Vaccine to $162 Million

New contract to develop H5N1 vaccine is with Chiron Corporation

Oct. 27, 2005 – Health and Human Services has ordered an additional $62.5 million in influenza vaccine designed to combat the H5N1 avian flu virus that many fear will cause an international pandemic. In September, HHS awarded $100 million to Sanofi Pasteur for bird flu vaccine and announced an agreement with a German company to develop at least one vaccine for each of the 16 variations of a key influenza surface protein known as hemagglutinin (represented by the letter "H" in the names of influenza strains, such as H5N1). Read more...

Pandemic Flu Rapid Response Team Created by FDA, Warns of Fake Treatments

Team to help expedite vaccine, new drugs to fight avian (bird) flu

Oct. 24, 2005 - In response to the emerging threat of pandemic (Avian) influenza, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the formation of a Rapid Response Team to ensure that antiviral drugs are available to the American people - in particular high risk senior citizens, in the event they are needed. The agency also issued a warning about possible fake drugs and fraudulent treatments it suspects will emerge. Read more...

World's Pandemic Fighters to Gather in Geneva, Worry Grows of Bird Flu in Africa

UK asks for bids on 120 million vaccine doses, in US surgical mask in demand

Oct. 19, 2005 – While world leaders in the fight against avian flu prepare for a summit in early November, there is increasing worry of the bird flu’s spread to Africa, and the UK is asking for pandemic vaccine providers to bid on providing that country with 120 million doses. And, a distributor of surgical face masks used to avoid the flu says it is struggling to keep up with the U.S. demand. Read more...

FDA Attempts to Quell Growing Fear of Flu Vaccine Shortage, Again

Oct. 18, 2005 – With growing concern about another shortage of flu vaccine this year, the FDA issued a statement that it “anticipates the production of more vaccine than last year.” Yesterday, Chiron, the flu producer whose shutdown caused last year’s problem, said its U.S. flu vaccine deliveries will fall short of targets – less than 18 million doses of the 18 to 26 million projected. Read more...

The Basics About Bird Flu & Pandemics

Oct. 17, 2005 - The following information was prepared by the World Health Organization in response to the heightened interest in the avian (bird) flu that many see is the threat of a worldwide pandemic. This information was current on October 14, 2005. The confirmation of outbreaks of avian influenza in birds in Romania and Turkey in the last few days has spurred extensive interest in the links between avian influenza and the potential for a human influenza pandemic. The problem has previously been confined to Asia. Senior citizens are among the most vulnerable from the flu and need to stay informed. About Avian Influenza and Its Transmission to Humans Avian Influenza Frequently Asked Questions Pandemic Influenza: Ten Things You Need To Know Oct. 17, 2005 - The following information about flu pandemics was prepared by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. About Influenza Pandemics by Centers for Disease Control

Clinics Others Open, Too

Largest National Pharmacies Offer In-Store Flu Shots

CVS opens October 1, Walgreens on October 3 – over 8,000 locations

Sept. 28, 2005 – The two largest pharmacy chains in the U.S. – Walgreens and CVS – are both offering flu shots in their stores with senior citizens a top priority through October 23. At CVS, flu shots begin October 1 and continue through November. Walgreens will offer shots from October 3 through November 18. Shots are free at both stores to those presenting their Medicare card with Medicare Part B coverage that has not been assigned to an HMO. Read more...

HHS Buys Vaccine, Antiviral to Combat Potential Flu Pandemic

Secretary voices support of International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza

Sept. 15, 2005 - HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced the purchase of vaccine and antiviral medications that could be used in the event of a potential influenza pandemic. He also affirmed his commitment to the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza announced by President Bush yesterday at the United Nations General Assembly. Read more...

Health Experts Press Urgency in Flu Vaccinations

Senior citizens, others at high risk are priority for vaccinations through October 24

Sept. 14, 2005 – Government agencies and national health associations came together today for a press conference at the National Press Club to warn about the severity of influenza and pneumonia and call for renewed efforts to increase vaccination rates among senior citizens and others considered at high risk from these vaccine-preventable diseases. Read more...

FDA Approves New Fluarix Vaccine for Upcoming Flu Season

HHS says it is big step toward providing adequate supply

Aug. 31, 2005 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved Fluarix, an influenza vaccine for adults that contains inactivated virus. Fluarix is approved to immunize adults 18 years of age and older against influenza virus types A and B contained in the vaccine. Influenza is also commonly called the flu. Read more...

Nursing Homes Must Give Flu Shots: Medicare, Medicaid Say

Aug. 12, 2005 - Nursing homes serving Medicare and Medicaid patients would have to provide immunizations against influenza and pneumococcal disease to all residents if they want to continue in the programs, according to a proposed rule to be released by CMS in the August 15 Federal Register. Read more...

Flu Pandemic Could Be Stopped With Early Actions

Aug. 4, 2005 - A carefully chosen combination of public health measures, if implemented early, could stop the spread of an avian flu outbreak at its source, suggest two international teams of researchers in Nature (August 3) and Science (August 5). This deadly virus poses the potential threat of the flu pandemic that could kill thousands of people, with senior citizens being the most vulnerable. Read more...

Pandemic Flu Projection Says More Than Half Million Could Die in U.S.

Chart shows expected deaths, hospitalization, cases by state

June 24, 2005 - Trust for America's Health (TFAH) today released state-by-state projections that found over half a million Americans could die and over 2.3 million could be hospitalized if a moderately severe strain of a pandemic flu virus hits the U.S. Senior citizens and the elderly would be at high risk. Based on the model estimates, 66.9 million Americans are at risk of contracting the disease. Read more...see state chart

HHS Awards $97 Million Contract to Develop Cell Culture-Based Influenza Vaccine

Effort Designed to Diversify and Accelerate Vaccine Production to Enhance Pandemic Preparedness

April 3, 2005 – Health and Human Services has awarded a $97 million contract to Sanofi Pasteur to speed the production process for new influenza vaccines for the U.S. The five-year award supports the development of advanced techniques using a cell-based, rather than an egg-based, approach to producing influenza vaccines. The contract also calls for plans to establish a U.S.-based, cell cultured influenza vaccine manufacturing facility. Read more...

Value of Flu Vaccination in Preventing Elderly Deaths is Questioned

Feb. 15, 2005 - Studies which report that influenza vaccination reduces winter mortality risk among the elderly by 50 percent may substantially overestimate the vaccination benefit, according to the February 14 issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine. Read more...

Flu Shots Benefit Anybody With High-Risk Medical Condition

Feb. 15, 2005 - Persons younger than 65 with high-risk medical conditions such as chronic lung and heart disease can substantially benefit from annual influenza vaccination during an epidemic, according to a study in the February 14 issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine. Read more...

Flu Vaccine Available and Senior Citizens Should Get Shot

February is usually the worst month for influenza

Feb 15, 2005 – Midway in the month that most often sees the most influenza, the Centers for Disease Control says there are still millions of doses of flu vaccine available and senior citizens should continue to seek vaccinations from their local healthcare providers. Read more...

Latest Survey

Flu Shots Hitting Target Groups: Slightly Lower for Seniors, Big Gain in Babies

Feb. 15, 2005 – Flu vaccine reached a record number of babies in 2004 but the percentage of senior citizens and others receiving the vaccine was down slightly from 2003, according to the most recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control, which covered September through December of 2004. Read more...

Demonstration Project

Medicare Offers Help to Seniors With Flu

Jan. 7, 2004 – Senior citizens who get the flu can get assistance to help pay for antiviral medicines under a demonstration project announced today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). More... 1/7/05*

Caregivers, Adults Over 49 May Get Flu Shots in 2005

Availability will determine where these groups allowed

Dec. 20, 2004 – Effective January 3, 2005, the priority group for flu vaccine will be expanded in certain areas to include persons from age 50 through 64, out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of persons in high-risk groups. These areas will be determined by as where state and local health authorities judge vaccine supply to be adequate to meet demand. More... 12/20/04*

Get Prepared for Pandemic from Avian Flu Virus, Says World Health Organization

Estimates of deaths range from two to fifty million; seniors, children most at risk

Dec. 9, 2004 - The World Health Organization and influenza experts worldwide are concerned that the recent appearance and widespread distribution of an avian influenza virus, Influenza A (H5N1), has the potential to ignite the next flu pandemic. All avian influenza viruses are not the same, however, and the strains found in North America have not been H5N1. More... 12/09/04*

HHS Purchases 1.2 Million Doses of Flu Vaccine

GlaxoSmithKline Vaccine Adds To 61 Million Doses In United States

Dec. 7, 2004 - HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced today that the Food and Drug Administration authorized the use of GlaxoSmithKline influenza vaccine, Fluarix, in the United States under an Investigational New Drug application. Additionally, HHS has reached an agreement with the company to purchase 1.2 million doses of the vaccine for distribution to areas most in need. More... 12/07/04*

New Budget Has $100 Million to Avoid Flu Vaccine Shortage in 2005

Nov. 24, 2004 – The federal budget for 2005 that was approved by Congress, includes $100 million to enhance the flu vaccine supply next year. The American Public Health Association greeted the action as good news that will “provide for year-round production” and the purchase of additional vaccine to avoid future shortages. More... 11/24/04*

Plans to Prevent Another Flu Vaccine Shortage: Topic for Senate Aging Committee

Hearing Tuesday features FDA commissioner, CDC official and others

Nov. 15, 2004 - The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging will hold a hearing tomorrow featuring testimony by Lester M. Crawford, Acting Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, about the flu vaccine shortage and plans to prevent this happening next year. More... 11/15/04*

NIAID Launches Expanded Flu Web Site

Nov. 15, 2004 - The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) today launched its updated Web site on influenza research. Titled "Focus on the Flu," the Web site spotlights cutting-edge NIAID-supported research; graphics that illuminate concepts important to understanding influenza research, such as reverse genetics and antigenic shift and drift; health-related facts sheets; recent NIAID publications and Congressional testimony; and other flu resources.

The Web site is available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/newsroom/FocusOn/Flu04.

Pneumonia Vaccine Critical for Elderly, Even With Flu Shot

Nov. 9, 2004 – Two years ago, almost 60,000 Americans 65 and older died from pneumonia – many more than from influenza. Many of the elderly may not be aware there is a vaccine for pneumonia and that they should seek this life-saving protection from their doctor, even if they get a flu shot. More... 11/09/04*

What is Pneumococcal Pneumonia?

Nov. 9, 2004 - Pneumococcal pneumonia primarily causes illness in children younger than 2 years old and adults 65 years of age or older. The elderly are especially vulnerable to getting seriously ill and dying from this disease. More... 11/09/04*

Flu Shot Protects Elderly from Death by Many Causes

Nov. 3, 2004 – Missing an annual flu shot by an elderly person can put their lives at jeopardy from more than just influenza, according a new research. The study from the Netherlands says senior citizens who have a yearly flu vaccination have reduced risk of death from all causes. More... 11/03/04*

Seniors Worried Abut Flu Vaccine Shortage Now Must Worry About “Flu Pandemic”

Pandemic could cause deaths of tens of millions, says World Health Organization, that has called for global summit

Nov. 1, 2004 – If the shortage of flu vaccine was not enough to keep seniors worried, we now have the “flu pandemic,” which the U.N.’s World Health Organization says is “closer than ever.” They have called for a world summit on November 11. The flu killed about 36,000 in the U.S. last year and a million worldwide. Tens of millions can die in a pandemic, which occurs ever 20 to 30 years. Here is what you need to know about a pandemic. More... 11/01/04*

Flu Prevention Update

4.2 Million Flu Vaccine Doses Shipped This Week for High-Priority Groups

Now 9 million doses to these special needs groups, antiviral drugs stockpiled for use

Oct. 30, 2004- Over 4.2 million influenza vaccine doses were shipped this week to health providers serving high-priority groups as part of the plan announced on October 12 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Aventis Pasteur. The Department of Health and Human Services also said yesterday in has purchased a stockpile of antiviral drugs to treat more than 7 million people. More... 10/30/04*

FDA Finds Five Million New Doses of Flu Vaccine

Oct. 28, 2004 – The Food and Drug Administration has identified about 5 million new doses of influenza vaccine from foreign manufacturers; HHS has been able to recoup an additional 300,000 doses of the injectable vaccine originally bought for federal employees and the military; and a major pneumonia vaccine manufacturer plans to triple its production. More... 10/28/04*

Antiviral Drugs Promoted for Flu Prevention, Treatment

Oct. 19, 2004 – Three antiviral drugs are now being emphasized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a means of “preventing” the flu. Amantadine, rimantadine, and oseltamivir have been approved for flu prevention but not as a substitute for influenza vaccination. These drugs may be an acceptable alternative for those who are unable to find flu vaccinations due to the shortage. More... 10/19/04*

U.S. Turning to Canada for Drugs – Flu Vaccine

Oct. 19, 2004 – Just like many senior citizens, the U.S. government is turning to Canada for drugs, according to HHC Secretary Tommy Thompson, who announced today the U.S. is negotiating with Canada to buy flu vaccine to help solve the shortage in the U.S. More... 10/19/04*

FDA Confirms Chiron Flu Vaccine Not Usable, Says Search for More Vaccine Continues

Oct. 16, 2004 - Just to make it official - the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a statement late yesterday confirming the earlier decision by British inspectors that the Chiron influenza vaccine is not save for use. But, the FDA did say the search for more vaccine is continuing. More... 10/16/04*

States Urged to Investigate, Prosecute Flu Vaccine Price-Gougers

Oct. 14, 2004 –Attorneys General in each state was urged today to thoroughly investigate reports of price gouging involving the flu vaccine and to prosecute all found to be taking advantage of the vaccine shortage. The encouragement was in a letter from Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. More... 10/14/04*

Most Hospitals Have Been Offered Flu Vaccine at Inflated Prices

Oct. 13, 2004 – Most hospital pharmacy directors say they have been contacted by vendors offering to sell flu vaccine at “highly inflated” prices, since the vaccine shortage was announced on October 5. More... 10/13/04*

CDS Announces Plan to Help Get Flu Vaccine to Most Needy

Oct. 12, 2004 - The first phase of a plan to control the shipment of available influenza vaccine to help assure those most in need get the shots, was announced today at a news conference by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Aventis Pasteur company. More... 10/12/04*

Best Place for Latest Information on Flu Shots is Online

Maxim Health updating FindaFluShot.com everyday

Oct. 12, 2004 – The best place we have found for getting the latest information on flu shots and where to get them is at the Maxim Health System’s Website - www.findaflushot.com. A unique service is the Flu Shot Locator, where users can enter their location and the site will provide information on the nearest location for flu vaccinations. The site is updated daily. More... 10/12/04*