Cough-Cold and Flu

PARIS — Sanofi announced Monday that it has completed the acquisition of Protein Sciences, a vaccines biotechnology company based in Meriden, Conn. This completion follows Federal Trade Commission approval, having met all the conditions required for the closing of the transaction.

Through the acquisition, Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines global business unit of Sanofi, adds a promising product to its influenza vaccine portfolio: Flublok (Influenza Vaccine), the only recombinant protein-based influenza vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week upated its 2017-2018 flu season vaccine recommendations.

Vaccine viruses included in the 2017–18 U.S. trivalent influenza vaccines will be an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09–like virus, an A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus, and a B/Brisbane/60/2008–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).

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons pharmacies have annual flu vaccinations in stock and are reminding customers that while they are getting vaccinated, it's a great time to review their immunization records and talk to their pharmacist about other health concerns, too.

HERSHEY, Pa. — Influenza vaccination rates in children may have decreased for the 2016-17 influenza season because of a recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that the nasal spray version of the vaccine not be used, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.

In the healthcare space, it’s a long-held tenet that female heads of household, aka moms, are the primary purchasers of the OTC remedies and balms that cure ailments. So, why not capture her loyalty from the beginning — or even before the beginning?

LOS ANGELES — Hyland's on Wednesday announced a partnership with GOOD+ Foundation to donate up to 100,000 pieces of Hyland's 4 Kids cough & cold products to families in need.