Immunization

As the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to report more measles infections, the University of California is taking a strong stance on immunization.

Downplaying the gravity of measles is common among those who grew up in a measles-free world due to the success of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. However, a portion of that success relies on continued vaccination.

The current measles outbreak across 14 US states indicates that too few individuals are being vaccinated to prevent infections, according to Jason Gallagher, a clinical pharmacy specialist in infectious diseases at Temple University.

The 102 measles infections reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since December indicate the consequences of low vaccination rates in certain communities, as well as the public health crisis that could occur if patients continue to decline immunizations.

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA), issued the following statement on the important role childhood and lifespan vaccinations play in protecting personal and public health.

As the measles outbreak linked to Disneyland continues to spread, pediatricians are deeply concerned about the children who have been infected, and those who are at risk because they have not been vaccinated. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly urges parents to make sure their children have received the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

The recent California measles outbreak appears to have galvanized the public's attention in a way earlier outbreaks have not, putting the anti-vaccine movement on the defensive.

New research reports that the influenza vaccination rate among nursing home staff is only 54%, which may jeopardize their patients' health.

Measles cases in Arizona and elsewhere could soar as football fans pour into the state for the Super Bowl.

A needle-fearing Rite Aid pharmacist who had been fired for refusing to attend mandatory immunization training will receive $2.6 million for his troubles.

Students and faculty at a pharmacy school have helped push a new bill into law that will allow pharmacists and pharmacy interns in Ohio to provide certain immunizations to more patients.

Do you whistle while you work?

Do you whistle while you work? That's exactly what Kmart pharmacist Eldon Wilson of Hutchinson, Kansas, does every day.

Only about half of girls immunized against human papillomavirus received the vaccine at the age recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The FDA today approved Bexsero, a vaccine to prevent invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B in patients aged 10 to 25 years.

New research findings on the pathogen behind the flu could increase the effectiveness of influenza immunization programs.

By simulating pertussis resurgences, researchers have identified the immunization schedules that result in the greatest reduction in whooping cough at the lowest economic cost.

Even a hospital pharmacist can be misinformed when it comes to vaccinations and the decision to vaccinate their own child.

Evidence suggesting that this year's flu vaccine missed the mark has caused the CDC to turn to other treatment strategies.

The 7 main adverse outcomes associated with 2 common childhood immunizations are highly unlikely to occur following vaccine administration.

Respiratory syncytial virus infection increases the risk of pneumonia in young children.

While some researchers have associated human papillomavirus vaccination with an increased risk for multiple sclerosis, a new study found no such link between the vaccine and the development of demyelinating disease.

Pharmacies across the country are seeing a shortage in a product many patients use as a defense against the flu.

A new study out of the Mailman School of Public Health and Columbia University Medical Center has found that text message reminders increase the chances that children will receive their second dose of the influenza vaccine.