CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic Providing Pertussis Vaccinations in all California Locations in Response to the State's Whooping Cough Epidemic

WOONSOCKET, R.I., June 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As the state of California's whooping cough epidemic continues, CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic are offering the pertussis vaccine at all of its locations across the state. Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccinations are available every day with no appointment needed at more than 850 CVS/pharmacy locations and 47 MinuteClinic sites inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in California. CVS pharmacists in California can vaccinate anyone at least 9 years old. MinuteClinic nurse practitioners can vaccinate anyone ages 18 months or older (children under the age of 7 will receive the DTaP vaccine).

"Providing a range of important vaccinations at CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic is part of our purpose of helping people on their path to better health," said Papatya Tankut, RPh, Vice President of Pharmacy Affairs at CVS Caremark. "This includes the Tdap vaccine, which is the best protection against the whooping cough outbreak that has struck California."

According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the pertussis vaccination is recommended for pregnant women in their third trimester (regardless of any previous Tdap vaccination), infants at least 6 weeks old, and children and adults who are not up to date on their vaccinations or who are in regular contact with an infant. Adults should receive a Tdap booster shot every 10 years.    

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection and symptoms vary by age. Children's symptoms typically start with a cough and runny nose for up to two weeks, leading to worsening coughs that end with a "whooping" sound. Adult symptoms may be a cough that persists for several weeks. Young infants may have no apparent cough but their faces may turn red or purple.   

More information about the pertussis vaccine is available at www.cdph.ca.gov and www.cdc.gov.

For more information about vaccine availability at CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic, please visit www.cvs.com/getvaccinated  or www.minuteclinic.com/services/vaccination. Vaccinations are covered at both CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic by most insurance plans.

About CVS/pharmacy

CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), is America's leading retail pharmacy with more than 7,600 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drug stores. CVS/pharmacy is reinventing pharmacy to help people on their path to better health by providing the most accessible and personalized expertise, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at http://info.cvscaremark.com.

About MinuteClinic

MinuteClinic is a division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States. MinuteClinic launched the first retail medical clinics in the United States in 2000 and is the largest provider of retail clinics with more than 800 locations in 28 states and the District of Columbia. By creating a health care delivery model that responds to consumer demand, MinuteClinic makes access to high-quality medical treatment easier for more Americans. Nationally, the company has generated more than 19 million patient visits, with a 95% customer satisfaction rating. MinuteClinic is the only retail health care provider to receive three consecutive accreditations from The Joint Commission, the national evaluation and certifying agency for nearly 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. For more information, visit www.minuteclinic.com.

Media Contact:

Mike DeAngelis

CVS Caremark

[email protected]

401-770-2645

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SOURCE CVS Caremark