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Glaxosmithklineannounces ONLINE ORDERING of
FLUARIX® (INFLUENZA VIRUS VACCINE)for 2008-2009 FLU SEASON
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania(January 8,2008)–GlaxoSmithKline(NYSE: GSK) is now accepting orders ofFLUARIX® (Influenza Virus Vaccine) for the 2008-2009 influenza season through the company’s direct ordering Web site,
In previous years,the AmericanAcademy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has recommended that healthcare professionals pre-book their influenza vaccines early in order to increase the probability of getting the vaccine on time.
“GSKVaccinesDirect offers customers a convenient, flexible and easy-to-use tool for flu vaccine ordering,” said David Pernock, Senior Vice-President of U.S. Pharmaceuticals at GSK. “GlaxoSmithKline has significantly increased the number of doses available for the U.S. market. The addition of this online ordering capability demonstrates our continued commitment to improving flu vaccine distribution strategies and helping to ensure an adequate supply of flu vaccine in the U.S.”
Influenzais easily passed from one person to another through the air by droplets released when an infected individual coughs or sneezes, but may also be spread by touching influenza virus-contaminated surfaces, then touching the mouth or nose. Influenza is a highly contagious and potentially deadly infection that affects up to 20 percent of the total U.S. population each influenza season. Approximately 36,000 people died each year during 1990-1999 from complications of influenza infection. Greater than 90% of these deaths were among persons greater than or equal to 65 years of age. Over 200,000 hospitalizations occurred each year between 1979 and 2001 as a result of influenza.
GlaxoSmithKline: A Leader in Flu
GlaxoSmithKline has an active research and development program targeted at both seasonal and pandemic flu and has recently invested more than $2 billion to expand capacity for manufacturing its flu vaccines FLUARIX and FLULAVAL™ (Influenza Virus Vaccine) and its antiviral flu medication RELENZA® (zanamivir for inhalation). FLULAVAL will continue to be sold through three distributors: ASD Healthcare, McKesson and Henry Schein Vaccines Direct.
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GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information, visit GlaxoSmithKline at
Important Safety Information
FLUARIX and FLULAVAL should not be administered to anyone with known systemic hypersensitivity reactions to eggs, egg products, egg or chicken proteins, or any component of the vaccines. FLUARIX and FLULAVAL should not be administered to anyone who has had a life-threatening reaction to previous administration of any influenza vaccine, or to anyone with an acute evolving neurologic disorder. In a placebo-controlled clinical trial with FLUARIX, adverse events included pain and redness at the injection site, muscle aches, and fatigue. In comparator-controlled clinical trials with FLULAVAL, the most common adverse events were pain, redness, and/or swelling at the injection site and headache, fatigue, myalgia, fever, and malaise. Most adverse events in clinical trials were mild and self-limited. (See adverse reactions section of the Prescribing Information for each product for other potential adverse events.) Vaccination with FLUARIX or FLULAVAL may not protect 100% of susceptible individuals. If Guillain-Barré syndrome has occurred within 6 weeks of receipt of prior influenza vaccine, the decision to give FLUARIX or FLULAVAL should be based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks.
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