Waltco Medical Urges Orders of Flu Vaccine Today

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) August 30, 2008 -- Novartis Fluvirin® Influenza Virus Vaccine With Three New Strains Now Available For Order

MESQUITE, TEXAS – August 30, 2008 – Flu season is right around the corner and doctors and clinics are urged to order supplies today from Waltco Medical - a leading direct distributor for Novartis vaccines - to be prepared for widespread vaccination efforts which normally kick-off next month.

“As a leading direct distributor of Novartis vaccines, we already have the Novartis Fluvirin® influenza virus vaccine in-stock and ready for immediate shipping,” said Dr. Walter Sanders, CEO of Waltco Medical. “Last year nationwide flu vaccines ran short so we are urging all medical professionals in the South to order early to make sure their patients are protected against this very serious and contagious disease.”

According to Novartis, widespread influenza protection is critical since an estimated 36,000 deaths occur in the United States each year from influenza. During the last influenza season, 83 children were reported to have died of influenza-related causes. Of the 63 whose vaccination status was known, 58 (92 percent) were not vaccinated according to recommendations.

The same Fluvirin® from Novartis vaccine can be conveniently used in pediatric or adult settings on patients four-years-old or older. With Fluvirin® there is only the convenience of ordering one type of vaccine for all recommended ages.

Waltco Medical is even offering free shipping on 250 multi-dose vials or convenient boxes of 250 pre-filled syringes. Best of all, due to the urgent need for widespread vaccination efforts in advance of the upcoming season, Waltco Medical is waving the need for payment for the first 30 days.

“We really want to partner with medical professionals in the rural and minority communities throughout the country to ensure widespread vaccination efforts to protect families from unnecessary illness from influenza,” said Dr. Sanders. “Many times these communities are overlooked in vaccination efforts. We really want to ensure an extra push to reach out to those people in need.”

“As one of the largest US suppliers of influenza vaccine, providing large quantities of Fluvirin early in the season supports public health efforts to vaccinate as many people as possible this upcoming influenza season,” said Joerg Reinhardt, CEO of Novartis Vaccines in a August 7 press release from the company. “Novartis is committed to delivering high quality influenza vaccine to help protect more people against this potentially serious and contagious disease.”

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Extra efforts will be especially important this year since the World Health Organization has recommended a change in all three virus strains included in the influenza vaccine composition. Fluvirin® from Novartis reflects this recommended change to ensure extra protection from its vaccine product.

For more information on Waltco Medical, or to order flu vaccine for your practice or clinic, please visit them on