GSK Offers Flu Vaccines Online

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is now accepting orders of FLUARIX^® (Influenza Virus Vaccine) for the 2008-2009 influenza season through the company’s direct ordering website.

In previous years, the American Academy 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.”

Influenza is 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.

GlaxoSmithKline is committed to "improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer."