Experts call for increased influenza immunization before peak season

New data released by CDC show alarmingly low influenza vaccination rates in both adults and children. CDC joined the National Foundation for Infectious Disease (NFID) and leading health organizations at a recent national news conference in Washington, D.C., urging increased efforts for Americans to seek immunization against influenza throughout the fall and winter. According to a CDC report released at the conference, influenza vaccination coverage in all states during the 2005-2006 season was substantially below the national 60% target for persons 18 to 64 with high-risk conditions, and the 90% target for persons aged 65 and older. In a separate but related development, Henry Schein Inc., a leading supplier of vaccines in the U.S., announced it has started shipping GlaxoSmithKline's influenza vaccine FluLaval to customers. Henry Schein has no vaccine available for immediate shipment from Glaxo, Sanofi Pasteur, or Novartis.

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