Vaccine

FDA approves DPT vaccine for seniors; shingles vaccine under-utilized

July 12, 2011

A new single-dose vaccine that prevents tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) in those older than 65 has been approved, the Food and Drug Administration announced Friday.

Flu shot co-pays waived for Medicare beneficiaries this year

September 08, 2010

Individuals covered under Medicare will be eligible to receive this year's flu shot without co-pays or deductibles, according to health officials.

CDC devises new way to estimate flu-related deaths

August 30, 2010

Many healthcare workers may be familiar with this statistic: Each year, roughly 36,000 people die from influenza. Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is walking away from this decades-old figure, saying the actual death toll varies greatly year to year.

Newly approved flu vaccine protects against H1N1, seasonal strains

August 05, 2010

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new influenza vaccine that protects against the H1N1 strain as well as seasonal strains of the flu.

New flu shot for seniors may be available, but the jury's still out on its effectiveness

May 03, 2010

A new, stronger flu vaccine for seniors aged 65 and older has been licensed for use, according to recent reports.

Vaccinating nursing home workers does not help prevent flu from spreading, study finds

March 18, 2010

Giving nursing home workers a flu vaccine is ineffective at preventing the spread of influenza among residents, a new Canadian study suggests.

Millions of H1N1 vaccine doses to expire by Feb. 15

February 04, 2010

Some 12 million doses of H1N1 flu vaccine will expire by Feb. 15. That is earlier than expected, according to manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur, which recently notified U.S. governmental agencies of this finding.

H1N1 vaccine could be available by end of month

September 15, 2009

Health officials say the H1N1 flu vaccine could be available as early as three weeks from now. And only one dose may be needed for each recipient.

Half of Americans could catch swine flu, healthcare workers still reluctant to get vaccinated

August 26, 2009

Slightly less than half the population of the United States could become infected with the H1N1 flu this fall and winter, according to a presidential panel. That trails findings that healthcare workers are still hesitant about receiving the H1N1 vaccine.