Dear Colleague;

Once again the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and the New York State Office for the Aging are working in collaboration with local community pharmacies in a statewide initiative to help promote annual influenza and pneumococcal immunization for adults.

Past flu seasons have been hampered by vaccine shortages and delays. However, vaccine supply projections for the upcoming 2007-08 flu season are very encouraging. As of July 24, 2007, the four influenza vaccine manufacturers project that approximately 130 million doses of influenza vaccine will be available in the U.S. for use during the 2007-08 flu season. This is the largest amount of vaccine to ever become available in the United States. In fact, there should be enough supply of vaccine so that anyone who wishes to protect themselves again flu can get vaccinated.

A recent study, funded by the CDC and appearing in the December 1, 2006, issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, found that underestimating risk for influenza was common, particularly among people younger than 65 years old. Since pharmacists play an integral role in providing health education to the public, we are requesting that you again assist in the promotion of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination by distributing the enclosed vial label reminders and reminder cards to not only seniors, but all at risk populations along with their prescriptions by taking part in the following activities:

• Attach influenza and pneumococcal reminder labels to the prescription vials of your “high-risk" customers, between September 1, 2007 and March 1, 2008. Appropriate customers will be identified by tracking the use of certain classes of medications. An instruction sheet describing the methods used to identify customers is enclosed with this letter.
• If you know that a customer has already been vaccinated, you have the option of discontinuing the use of the vial reminder labels.

Enclosed is an instruction sheet to help you identify those customers who qualify. This year the NYSDOH is requesting you order influenza and/or pneumococcal vial stickers (available in rolls of 1,000) and educational materials by submitting an electronic request through the NYS Adult Immunization Campaign website at www.flu.state.ny.us. Upon accessing the website, you should double click on Provider whereupon you will be prompted for a user id (aim) and password (flu). Both prompts are lower case sensitive. Labels, educational materials and reminder cards called “bag stuffers” are still available at no cost.

Please join us in this very important campaign to decrease mortality and morbidity due to influenza and pneumococcal disease in your community. Thank you for your anticipated support in promoting flu and pneumococcal vaccination for your qualified customers.

Click Here to order educational materials for the 2007-08 NYS Influenza and Pneumococcal Prevention Campaign:

• Materials are available free of charge to New York State residents
• Complete the address label below and send with order form to insure delivery
• Label EACH page with your organization’s name
• Check the appropriate boxes for the quantities desired
• Orders CANNOT be delivered to a post office bulk box number
• Allow at least three to four weeks for delivery.