CVS Caremark reports on flu study at DMAA

US pharmacy firm CVS Caremark has presented findings from a year long study, which suggest that influenza vaccinations can help reduce the risk of hospitalizations in patients with chronic conditions at the annual meeting of DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance, in Hollywood, Florida.

The study and analysis evaluated 19,908 participants enrolled in a comprehensive common chronic disease management program. The subjects were selected from a continuously enrolled population of all ages - all of whom were predetermined to have one of a number of chronic conditions including asthma, diabetes, coronary artery disease, heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Investigators assessed hospital visits in 2006, and the vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups had equal distributions of gender, age and co-morbidities. The presence of influenza vaccine was derived from self-reported patient data, as well as medical claims. Results indicated that, for chronic disease patients who received the influenza vaccine, there was a 19% reduction in hospitalization for all causes and a 24% cut in flu and pneumonia-related hospitalizations.

"The results are an example of how our Proactive Pharmacy Care approach can help patients dealing with chronic conditions benefit from the positive impact of an annual influenza vaccination and can be an important tool for communicating the need for flu vaccine in this patient population," said Marsha Moore, senior vice president of medical affairs at Caremark. "By reducing the number of hospitalizations and overall risks of complications, the appropriate use of the influenza vaccination could result in a number of benefits for patients, and even lower the costs of care for those who receive the vaccination," she added.