CVS/pharmacy expands H1N1 inoculation program in California

WOONSOCKET, R.I. CVS/pharmacy has expanded the availability of H1N1 flu vaccine to more than 220 stores throughout California, the pharmacy retailer announced Tuesday.

"We are pleased to be able to expand H1N1 vaccine availability to more CVS/pharmacy locations in California," stated Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., chief medical officer of CVS Caremark. "H1N1 flu is currently active in many communities and it is likely that we will see increased flu activity, as is typically the case, in January and February."

Patients who are most at risk for contracting H1N1 and for complications resulting from the flu include pregnant women, individuals ages 6 months through 24 years, household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, and persons ages 25 through 64 years who have health conditions that are associated with higher risk of such medical complications from influenza as asthma and diabetes.

H1N1 flu vaccine is available from coast to coast in 28 states and Washington, D.C. at either CVS/pharmacy or at MinuteClinic. The vaccine is currently being offered at:

• Select CVS/pharmacy locations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii (Longs Drugs stores), Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
• MinuteClinic locations in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

The cost of the H1N1 flu vaccination shot at CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic is a $15 administration fee, which may be covered by insurance.