Meningitis B Vaccine Available to Students, Faculty and Staff at UMass Amherst

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Nov. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is offering Meningitis B vaccines to students, faculty and staff at UMass Amherst, in response to two confirmed cases of Meningitis B on campus. CVS Pharmacy stores and MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics have vaccines available to protect patients against the disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined that the strains of the meningococcal bacteria that caused both student's infections are closely related, meaning there may be an increased risk of the disease for other undergraduates on campus. UMass Amherst students who have not been vaccinated are encouraged to get vaccinated. In addition, anyone who has had close contact with a person who has been diagnosed with a meningococcal illness, as well as faculty and staff who have conditions such as asplenia, a complement deficiency, or sickle cell anemia, should also receive the vaccine.

Meningitis B vaccines are fairly new and most college students have not received the vaccine previously. All college students are required to receive a vaccine that protect against four other strains of the meningococcal disease (A, C, W, and Y), but that vaccine does not protect against B, which is the cause of the current infections at UMass Amherst.

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect people from meningococcal infection and CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic will be offering the Meningitis B vaccine at the following locations¹:

• 165 University Drive, Amherst, MA 01002 (MinuteClinic also available)
• 76 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002
• 367 Russell Street, Hadley, MA 01035 (Located inside Target)
• 366 King Street, Northampton, MA 01060 (MinuteClinic also available)
• 90 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060
• 70 West State Street, Granby, MA 01033
• Crystal Springs Plaza, 151 North Main Street, Belchertown, MA 01007
• Route 10, 118 Northampton Street, Easthampton, MA 01027
• 1616 Memorial Drive, Chicopee, MA 01020
• 400 Beech Street, Holyoke, MA 01040
• 1176 Granby Road, Chicopee, MA 01020
• 451 Center Street, Ludlow, MA 01056
• 250 Whiting Farms Road, Holyoke, MA 01040
• 50 Holyoke Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 (Located inside Target)
• 1990 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095

All CVS Pharmacy locations can order doses of the vaccine upon request and have it available the next day. Pharmacy and medical clinic staff can assist patients in determining whether the vaccine is covered by their insurance plan.

"Immunizations are an important part of preventive care and a critical way to prevent serious diseases, like Meningitis B," said Tobias Barker, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of MinuteClinic. "Our CVS pharmacists and MinuteClinic nurse practitioners are ready to provide meningitis vaccinations to the UMass Amherst community, and can help ensure that patients stay up to date on vaccinations in the future."

No appointment is needed to receive a meningitis vaccination. Patients should bring both their health insurance and prescription insurance cards.

About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its 9,700 retail locations, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 90 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com/.

Media Contact
CVS Health
Amy Lanctot
(401) 770-2931
[email protected]

¹ Vaccines are available when an immunizing pharmacist or MinuteClinic nurse practitioner is on duty, while supplies last.

SOURCE CVS Health

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