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
Amy.Lanctot@CVSHealth.com
1 Vaccines are available when an immunizing
pharmacist or MinuteClinic nurse practitioner is on duty, while
supplies last.
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SOURCE CVS Health