Search Results for: vaccines

March 14 2021

What you need to know about the COVID vaccines

In North Carolina nearly 19% of the population has received their first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, and nearly 12% are fully vaccinated. The following groups are eligible for the vaccine:

Healthcare and long term care staff and residents
Older Adults
Frontline essential workers

Governor Cooper announced that on Wednesday, March 17, people in Group 4 who have a medical condition that puts them at higher risk of serious illness and people who live in certain congregate settings will be eligible for vaccination. The rest of Group 4, which includes other essential workers will become eligible April 7. Hopefully by Summer, anyone who wants the vaccine will be eligible to receive it.

Here’s what you need to know:

The COVID-19 vaccine will be available to everyone for free, whether or not you have health insurance. Whether they are given in one shot or two, all vaccines help prevent COVID-19 and are effective in preventing hospitalization and death. If your vaccine requires two shots, you will get a printed card and an email to remind you to come back 3 or 4 weeks later for your second dose. If you receive your first dose at Village Pharmacy, we set your second appointment at your first visit. You will need to get your second shot at the same place you got first. Your personal information is private and strictly confidential.

While all three vaccines have slightly different efficacy rates for contracting the virus, all three are 99% effective against serious illness. If you have the opportunity to get the vaccine, it doesn’t matter which one you take, so don’t “shop around” for a particular one. Here’s more information about each of them:

Pfizer:
Number of shots: 2 shots in the upper arm, 21 days apart.

Does not contain: Eggs, preservatives, latex

Recommended for people aged 16 years and older.

Efficacy: 95% effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID 19 illness in people without evidence of serious infection.

Side effects:

In the arm:	Throughout the body:
Pain	Tiredness
Redness	Headache
Swelling	Muscle Pain
	Chills
	Fever
	Nausea

These side effects usually happen within seven days of getting vaccinated and are commonly mild to moderate. Fever, chills, and other side effects throughout the body are more common after the second dose of the vaccine. Most side effects are mild to moderate with a small number of people having side effects that affect their ability to do daily activities for a day or two.

Moderna
Number of shots: 2 shots in the upper arm, 28 days apart.

Does not contain: Eggs, preservatives, latex

Recommended for people aged 18 years and older.

Efficacy: 94.1% effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID 19 illness in people without evidence of serious infection.

Side effects:

In the arm:	Throughout the body:
Pain	Tiredness
Redness	Headache
Swelling	Muscle Pain
	Chills
	Fever
	Nausea

These side effects, which might feel like flu symptoms, usually happen within a day or two of getting vaccinated and may affect your ability to do daily activities, but should go away after a few days.

Johnson & Johnson
Number of shots: 1 shot in the upper arm

Does not contain: Eggs, preservatives, latex

Recommended for people aged 18 years and older.

Efficacy: 66.3% effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID 19 illness in people without evidence of serious infection.

Side effects:

In the arm:	Throughout the body:
Pain	Tiredness
Redness	Headache
Swelling	Muscle Pain
	Chills
	Fever
	Nausea

These side effects are common within seven days of getting vaccinated, but were mostly mild to moderate. Side effects might affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Side effects were more common in people 18 – 59 years old compared to people 60 years and older.

Do not get the COVID-19 vaccine if:

You are currently isolated and have not recovered from COVID-19.
You have received a vaccine of any kind (other than COVID-19) in the last 14 days.
You have pending test results due to an exposure.
You have received convalescent therapy for COVID-19 in the last 90 days.

Please visit the Village Pharmacy website to get on our vaccine waiting list. As soon as we receive our allotted doses, we will call you as available. We typically receive 100 doses per week for first doses and 100 doses per week for second doses. To date, we have received only the Moderna vaccine.

Don’t delay, get your vaccine as soon as you can so we can gain community immunity and fight this virus.

If you need transportation to a vaccination site in Pender County, visit the PenderPas website.

August 18 2014

Off to the Future: Even Healthy Young Adults Need Vaccines

Village Pharmacy Blog

Think you outgrew the need for vaccines when you graduated from high school and moved out of your parents’ house? Not so. Every year, thousands of young adults in the U. S. suffer serious health problems, are hospitalized, or even die from diseases that could have been prevented by vaccinations.
To highlight the importance of immunizations throughout life – and to help remind young adults that they need vaccines, too – we’re joining with partners nationwide in recognizing August as National Immunization Awareness Month. This is the perfect opportunity to make sure young adults are protected against diseases like flu, whooping cough, tetanus and HPV.
Some states require college students to be vaccinated against certain diseases like meningococcal disease because of the greater risk for illness to spread among students living in close quarters like dorms and student housing. The specific vaccines young adults need are determined by factors such as age, lifestyle, risk conditions, locations of travel, and previous vaccines. All young adults should talk to their health care providers about which vaccines are right for them.
Immunizations are not just for children. Even healthy young adults need protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.The truth is you never outgrow the need for immunizations.
Not sure about your immunization record? Talk to your parents, doctor, health clinic or school nurse to find out which vaccines you need to protect yourself from dangerous diseases – and keep your vax record in a safe place. And, check out more information from the CDC and the recommended vaccines for young adults.

Source: CDC

August 11 2014

Send Your Kids Back to School with their Vaccines Up to Date

Village Pharmacy Blog

Back-to-school season is here. It’s time for parents to gather supplies and back packs. It’s also the perfect time to make sure your kids are up to date on their vaccines.
To celebrate the importance of immunizations throughout life – and make sure children are protected with all the vaccines they need – Village Pharmacy of Hampstead and Rocky Point Pavillion Pharmacy are joining with partners nationwide in recognizing August as National Immunization Awareness Month.
Getting children all of the vaccines recommended by CDC’s immunization schedule is one of the most important things parents can do to protect their children’s health – and that of classmates and the community. If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to check with your doctor to find out what vaccines your child needs.
Most schools require children to be current on vaccinations before enrolling to protect the health of all students.
Today’s childhood vaccines protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, including polio, measles, and whooping cough.
When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk and can spread diseases to others in their classrooms and community – including babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated, and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer or other health conditions.
School-age children need vaccines. For example, children who are 4 to 6 years old are due for boosters of four vaccines: DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis), chickenpox, MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and polio. Older children, like preteens and teens, need Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), MenACWY (meningococcal conjugate vaccine) and HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines when they are 11 to 12. In addition, yearly flu vaccines are recommended for all children 6 months and older.
Parents can find out more about the recommended immunization schedule at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/index.html.

Source: CDC

November 20 2022

Antibiotics: Beware of the resistance

Village Pharmacy Blog

When we get sick, sometimes our first instinct tells us we need an antibiotic. However, not every illness is due to a bacterial infection, but rather a viral infection. Antibiotics and antifungals are one of our most powerful tools for fighting life-threatening infections, but they will not work on a virus.

The discovery of antibiotics has transformed healthcare, but over the years they have been over-prescribed which has led to a new era of people dying from antimicrobial-resistant infections.

Antimicrobial resistance (AR) occurs when germs like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. Resistant infections can lead to higher medical costs, extended hospital stays, and even deaths that are otherwise preventable. In the U.S. alone, more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur every year, with more than 35,000 deaths resulting from these infections.

Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in more resistant infections, increased antibiotic use, and less data and prevention actions.

When used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, antibiotics do save lives and their benefits outweigh the risk of side effects and antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics do not treat viruses like that that cause colds, flu, or COVID. In most cases, infections caused by bacteria require antibiotics, but they aren’t needed for many sinus infections and some ear infections. When antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t help us feel better. In fact, if taken when unneeded, it can contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when germs like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. When the bacteria become resistant, they multiply, and then antibiotics and antifungals lose their effectiveness. This causes the loss of the ability to treat infections, like those that lead to sepsis.

Antimicrobial-resistant germs can quickly spread across communities, the food supply, healthcare facilities, the environment (e.g., soil, water), and around the world. Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most urgent threats to public health today.

When prescribed only as needed, it’s important to take antibiotics exactly as directed – even when we start to feel better.

As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Here are some steps to protect yourself and your family to reduce the risk of infection:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
Stay home if you are sick or don’t feel well
Stay up to date on recommended vaccines
Practice safer sex
Prepare food safety

August 14 2022

Immunizations: Are your kids fully covered?

Village Pharmacy Blog

The first day of school is right around the corner and parents are busy making sure kids have new shoes and school supplies. But are immunizations on your list?

During the past two years, many children missed wellness check-ups causing them to miss their recommended vaccinations. Now is the time to get caught up and protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Many diseases that are either deadly or crippling have been dramatically reduced due to vaccinations. If properly vaccinated, your child is protected from the following diseases:

Chicken Pox
Diphtheria
Flu
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hib
HPV
Measles
Meningococcal
Mumps
Polio
Pneumococcal
Rotavirus
Rubella
Tetanus
Whooping Cough

The best way to help ensure your child stays healthy is through regular well-visit checkups with their doctor. During these appointments, your child’s doctor will track their growth and development milestones and discuss any areas of concern about your child’s health. They will recommend vaccinations at various ages and stages of your child’s development. Children who are not protected by vaccines are more likely to get diseases like measles and whooping cough which are extremely contagious and can be very serious for babies and young children. Communities with low vaccination rates have had outbreaks of these diseases.

Vaccines work to strengthen your child’s immune system so it’s best to vaccinate early in order to build up their immune system and before they are exposed to dangerous diseases. Children who are not vaccinated on schedule run the risk of getting sick and also spreading illness to others. Some people have weak immune systems so they rely on others to be vaccinated. By getting your child vaccinated on time and up to date before school starts, you are helping to protect friends and family, teachers, and the community as a whole.
Your child may be eligible for free vaccines through the CDC’s Vaccines for Children program. This federally funded program provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of their inability to pay. For more information visit the CDC Vaccines for Children website.

January 16 2022

Importance of Blood Donations

Village Pharmacy Blog, News

Have you considered donating blood, but haven’t taken the leap and actually donated? If so, you aren’t alone. Only about 3% of eligible people donate blood on a yearly basis. The COVID-19 pandemic only decreased donations as blood drives were canceled and those who donated on a regular basis stopped doing so.

In a recent joint statement from the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies, American Blood Centers, and the American Red Cross, the supply of blood is indicated as critically low. “The nation’s blood supply remains at one of its lowest levels in recent years. In recent weeks, blood centers across the country have reported less than a one-day’s supply of blood of certain critical blood types—a dangerously low level. If the nation’s blood supply does not stabilize soon, life-saving blood may not be available for some patients when it is needed.”

The nationwide shortage means that hospitals must allocate blood for the patients who need it most urgently. Cancer patients, people with traumatic injuries, those undergoing surgery, and those with chronic illnesses rely on the generosity of blood donations in order to survive. When you donate blood, it can be used as-is, or divided into its components – red cells, platelets, and plasma. These blood components can be used individually depending on the patient’s condition.

Healthy people between the ages of 17 and 65 (and older in some cases) are eligible to donate blood and can give blood at least twice per year. In some cases, people can donate every 56 days. Your local donation center can tell you how frequently you can give blood.

The process is very simple and only takes about 10 minutes to complete. Once you arrive at the donation center, you will either sit in a special chair or you can lie down on a bed. A trained healthcare worker will clean an area inside one of your elbows with an antiseptic solution before inserting a sterile needle into your vein. The blood will flow into a blood collection bag. Once the blood is collected (about one pint) you’ll rest for about 10-15 minutes and be given some refreshments. After this, you can return to your normal activities. However, you should avoid strenuous activities for the rest of the day and drink plenty of fluids over the next 24 hours.

Your body will replace the blood volume (plasma) within 48 hours. It will take four to eight weeks for your body to completely replace the red blood cells you donated.

We said earlier that healthy adults can donate blood. This is because if you are unhealthy, the blood can transmit infections to patients who receive blood transfusions. Do not donate blood if you have a sexually transmitted disease such as HIV or syphilis. If you have ever injected recreational, non-medicinal drugs, you are ineligible to donate. If you have recently had a tattoo, skin scarification, or ear or body piercing – your local blood service can tell you how long you must wait before giving blood. If you aren’t feeling well, are anemic, pregnant, or have been pregnant within the last year, or are breastfeeding, are taking certain medications such as antibiotics, or have certain medical conditions, you should not donate blood.

The question over the past year is can people who’ve received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine donate blood. The short answer is yes. Recipients of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines that do not contain live viruses may donate blood after seven days if they feel well. Recipients of live virus vaccines should wait four weeks before donating blood.

After donating, your blood will be tested for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis, and HTLV (human T-lymphotropic virus), which can cause a blood or nerve disease.

Now is the time to take action and donate blood, as you are able. Help us in keeping our community healthy, Hampstead!

February 15 2021

Prenatal Infection Prevention Month

Village Pharmacy Blog, News

When you are pregnant, your unborn baby relies on you and your behaviors to keep it safe and healthy. Here are some helpful steps to take in preventing prenatal infections.

Yes to Handwashing – We’ve always known that handwashing is important and we’ve seen the impact of that especially as it relates to cold and flu prevention and now to fight the spread of COVID-19. Other infections such as E. coli, and salmonella can also be prevented by washing your hands. E. coli has been known to cause low birth weight, premature delivery and stillbirth. In rare cases, salmonella bacteria can infect the amniotic fluid and can lead to miscarriage. If you think you have an infection, consult your doctor immediately.

Yes to Prenatal Care – Regular checkups from your doctor throughout your pregnancy is critical to the health of your baby. Typically, you should have your first appointment between 6 and 12 weeks of your pregnancy. Taking a multivitamin or prenatal vitamin with 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid every day is an important part of a healthy pregnancy and can help prevent some major birth defects of your baby’s brain and spine.

Yes to Food Safety – Pregnancy can change your immune system and place your baby at an increased risk for foodborne illness. Especially during the first trimester, listeria may cause miscarriage, but as pregnancy progresses to the third trimester,the mother is more at risk. Listeria can also lead to premature labor, low-birth weight, or infant death. Prevention includes washing hands and surfaces often, don’t cross-contaminate when cooking, cook to proper temperatures, and refrigerate food promptly.

Yes to Immunizations – During pregnancy, vaccinated mothers pass antibodies on to their babies, providing protection against disease for both you and your baby. Infections such as flu, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) are all preventable with vaccines. Talk to your doctor to ensure that you are caught up on all your vaccines and if the COVID-19 vaccine is right for you.

No to Other’s Bodily Fluids – Many infections can be spread through other’s bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, mucus and urine. Avoiding these can prevent Herpes (HSV) 1 and 2, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, Ebola, cytomegalovirus (CMV), hepatitis viruses, flu, fifth disease (HPV B-19).

No to Invasive Procedures – Minimizing and avoiding unnecessary internal exams during pregnancy can help prevent infection. Vaginal or perineal ultrasounds are less invasive than exams that may strip your membranes (such as amniocentesis). The most common reason to have an amniocentesis performed is to determine whether the baby has certain genetic disorders or a chromosomal abnormality, such as Down syndrome. Your doctor can guide you to the procedures that are right for you and your baby.

Yes to Environmental Precautions – Environmental hazards such as cigarette smoke and pesticides can increase the risk of poor prenatal growth, birth defects, leukemia and impared neurodevelopment. To reduce these risks to your unborn baby, avoid chemical tick and flea collars and dips for your pets, and other pesticides both inside and outdoors. Remove shoes before you come into your house to prevent tracking lawn chemicals and other pollutants. And, wash produce thoroughly before eating.

Taking care of both yourself and your baby during pregnancy will make a positive impact on the health of your unborn and newborn baby.

January 17 2021

Tips to Prevent Birth Defects

Village Pharmacy Blog, News

Did you know that about 120,000 babies are affected by birth defects each year in the United States? In North Carolina, approximately 4,000 babies are born with a serious birth defect each year. The most common birth defects are heart defects (“cardiovascular defects”), defects of the spine and brain (“neural tube defects”) and defects of the lip and roof of the mouth (“orofacial clefts”). These types of birth defects together represent about 40 percent of all serious birth defects in North Carolina. Not only can birth defects lead to lifelong challenges and disability, they are also the most common cause of death in infants and the second most common cause of death in children aged one to four years.

January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month. The theme for 2021 is “Best for You. Best for Baby.” We know that not all birth defects can be prevented, but you can increase your chances of having a healthy baby by doing what you can to be your healthiest self both before and during pregnancy. Here are five tips for moms in preventing birth defects:

Be sure to take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. Folic acid is very important because it can help prevent some major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine when taken before and during early pregnancy.
Book a visit with your healthcare provider before stopping or starting any medicine. There are often benefits to continuing treatment throughout pregnancy. Discussing a treatment plan before a pregnancy allows a woman and her health care provider to weigh the pros and cons of all options to keep mom and baby as healthy as possible.
Become up-to-date with all vaccines, including the flu shot (and the covid shot once available). Having the right vaccinations, like the flu and Tdap vaccines, at the right time during pregnancy can help keep a woman and her baby healthy.

Before you get pregnant, try to reach a healthy weight. Obesity increases the risk for several serious birth defects and other pregnancy complications.
Boost your health by avoiding harmful substances during pregnancy, such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy and its exposure can cause major birth defects. Smoking during pregnancy can cause dangerous chemicals to damage the placenta and/or reach the baby’s bloodstream. The opioid addiction epidemic has led to a sharp increase in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), premature birth and drug withdrawal in developing babies.

Every 4 ½ minutes a baby is born with a birth defect in the United States. Simply put – it doesn’t have to be that common. While mom’s play a critical part in the health and well-being of her unborn child, a dad’s behavior also plays a critical role before and during pregnancy.

Here are five tips for dads-to-be in preventing birth defects in their children:

Try to maintain a healthy weight. Incorporate eating healthy food and regular physical activity into your daily routine. Obesity in men has been linked to lower fertility and a higher risk of insulin dysregulation issues in their children.
Boost your health by avoiding harmful substances. Protect yourself and your partner by quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke and air pollution. Do not drink excessively or use certain drugs, such as cocaine or heroin. Avoid excessive use of marijuana. Use of marijuana has been linked to lower sperm production and lower sperm quality. Avoid use of anabolic androgenic steroids, particularly when trying to conceive. Use of testosterone derivatives has been associated with short-term subfertility and longer-term decreases in normal testosterone production. If you require pain management or addiction treatment, talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives to long-term use of opioids. Long-term use of opioids can interfere with testosterone production, which is important for sperm production.
Avoid harmful workplace exposures. Ask questions about hazards in your workplace. You have a legal right to receive information on hazards in your workplace. Learn how to avoid bringing work hazards home on your skin, clothes, and shoes.
Avoid infections. Get the flu shot and the whooping cough vaccine to avoid passing these viruses to your pregnant partner and your newborn infant. Protect yourself and your partner from insects known to carry diseases such as Zika virus. Zika can cause birth defects. When mosquitoes are active, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outside. Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (paramenthane-3, 8-diol). If you are planning to conceive with your partner, consider avoiding travel to an area with Zika virus or wait at least three months after your return before trying to conceive with your partner. Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STDs).
Maintain good mental well-being and be supportive of your partner during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider about resources to plan for mental well-being during parenthood. Some women experience depression during pregnancy or immediately after birth, and this can impact her partner. Take an interest in your partner’s health during pregnancy. Infants have fewer complications at birth when fathers are involved with their partners during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider about your role in care and development of your future child.

If you and your partner are considering becoming pregnant, follow the above tips to reduce the risk of birth defects in your baby. Do not stop taking prescription medications without first consulting your doctor. And let your pharmacist know if you are expecting, too!

March 14 2019

Self Care Tips

Village Pharmacy Blog

In an article recently published in November on MyModernMet.com, it stated that doctors in the United Kingdom are going to begin the practice of social prescribing. Instead of prescribing only medicines to aid in depression, they will also prescribe art and music lessons or even attending the theatre for some patients with depression and other mental and physical health issues. Studies have proven that self care measures such as having a good work-life balance, eating right, exercising, meditating, and writing in a journal are all great ways to combat feelings of anxiety and depression.

Self care is extremely important to do on a daily basis. It won’t only give you time for yourself every day, but it can also lessen your stress level before you start to feel overwhelmed.

But what about other ways to take care of yourself? You can know your family history, pick up a screening kit that can detect diseases before you even have symptoms, and you can vaccinate yourself from preventable diseases and illnesses such as measles and shingles.

Know your family history
Most of us know that we can reduce our risk of disease by eating a healthy diet, getting enough exercise, and not smoking. But, did you know that your family history might be one of the strongest influences on your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer? Even though you cannot change your genetic makeup, knowing your family history can help you reduce your risk of developing health problems.

Family members share genes, as well as environment, lifestyles, and habits. But they also share risks for diseases such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Everyone’s family history of disease is different. The key features of a family history that may increase risk are:

Diseases that occur at an earlier age than expected (10 to 20 years before most people get the disease)
Disease in more than one close relative
Disease that does not usually affect a certain gender (for example, breast cancer in a male)
Certain combinations of diseases within a family (for example, breast and ovarian cancer, or heart disease and diabetes)

The good news is that today, there are screening tests available that can detect certain cancers and diabetes.

Diabetes Screening

An estimated 40 percent of adults with type 2 diabetes don’t know they have it, which means they aren’t getting treatment that could protect them from very serious health problems down the road, such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney failure. The best option is to go to a doctor if you’re having symptoms of diabetes. But if you’re reluctant to do that, for whatever reason, the next best thing is to buy an over-the-counter diabetes test kit.

Common symptoms of diabetes include:

Urinating often
Feeling very thirsty
Feeling very hungry – even though you are eating
Extreme fatigue
Blurry vision
Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
Weight loss – even though you are eating more (type 1)
Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)

Colorectal Cancer Screening

The good news about a colorectal cancer diagnosis is that it is up to 90% curable if caught early enough. That is why screening is so important. Colorectal cancer arises from benign growths in the colon known as polyps. The goal of screening is to detect and remove polyps before they have the opportunity to become cancerous. According to The Cancer Research Foundation of America as many as 30 to 40 percent of the population over 50 has pre-cancerous adenomatous polyps. Nearly all colorectal cancer develops from these growths in the colon and rectum. For a limited time, you can pick up a FREE colon cancer screening kit here at Village Pharmacy.

Even if a cancer is detected during screening, it is often small and early in stage making curable surgery and treatment more likely.

Common symptoms and warning signs of colorectal cancer include:

Blood in the stool
A change in bowel habits
Diarrhea, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
Stools narrower than usual
General abdominal discomfort (frequent gas pains, bloating fullness, and/or cramps)
Weight loss with no known reason
Constant tiredness

If any of these symptoms persist, if a self screening kit came back with concerning results, or you have a family history of colorectal cancer you should talk to your health care provider or a gastroenterologist.

Vaccines
Vaccines are an easy and affordable way to prevent certain diseases and illnesses.

All of our pharmacists are certified to administer vaccines. North Carolina law says immunizing pharmacists may administer any vaccine that the CDC recommends. We offer both pneumonia vaccines (Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23) and shingles vaccine (Shingrix) daily and flu shots seasonally. These vaccines may be given without a prescription. We administer flu vaccines to anyone age 14 and older. We also administer hepatitis B, meningococcal, tetanus, tetanus-diphtheria, and TDAP vaccines to patients at least 18 years of age with a prescription upon request.

Village Pharmacy offers the following vaccines:

Zostavax (shingles vaccine)
Pneumovax (pneumonia vaccine)
Prevnar 13 (pneumonia vaccine)
Shingrix
Influenza (flu vaccine)
Td (tetanus and diphtheria vaccine)
Engerix-B or Recombivax HB (hepatitis B vaccine)
Vaqta (Hepatitis A vaccine)
TMenactra (meningococcal vaccine)

Please stop by or call to ask about your vaccine needs. They are just one more way to help you take care of yourself and prevent serious illnesses before they start.

October 1 2018

Medicare Open Enrollment

Village Pharmacy Blog, News medicare part D

If you’re 65 or older, mark your calendar for Medicare Open Enrollment October 15 – December 7 this year. It is an important time of year to review your current medical coverage and healthcare needs, and select the most appropriate Medicare plan for the new year. Even if you’re already enrolled in Medicare, it’s still a good idea to review your plan, since coverage — and your health needs — may change from year to year. If you will become eligible for Medicare coverage for the first time in 2019, now is a good time to start learning about the different types of Medicare (e.g., Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D), and what this means for you.

The open enrollment period for Medicare 2019 begins on October 15, 2018, and ends on December 7, 2018. Here’s what you need to know about Medicare — especially Medicare Part D open enrollment.

What are the different types of Medicare?

Medicare is an insurance plan provided by the federal government and overseen by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Medicare coverage is divided into four general sections, each of which covers different services. You must be enrolled in Parts A and B to be eligible for Part D.

Medicare Part A covers hospital expenses (i.e., pays for costs if you are hospitalized or placed in a nursing home).
Medicare Part B covers outpatient services such as doctor’s visits, labs, immunizations, X-rays and surgeries that don’t require you to stay overnight in a hospital.
Medicare Part C — also known as Medicare Advantage — is a type of Medicare coverage offered by private insurance companies that contract with CMS. It is available to anyone who is enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. Medicare Advantage plans cover not only the services provided by Parts A and B, but may also offer dental, vision and/or prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Part D is a supplemental form of Medicare that specifically covers prescription drug services. If you are enrolled in Parts A and B, then you can enroll in a Part D plan for prescription coverage.

Why Medicare Part D?

Medicare Part A only covers medications that you receive while you are in a hospital or a skilled nursing facility. Medicare Part B only covers a limited number of medications — and typically only if they are administered in an outpatient setting (such as a doctor’s office or clinic). Examples include vaccines, injectable medications and medications given by IV.

This lack of regular prescription coverage can be a significant problem for older adults. According to a 2016 report published by the CDC, more than 90% of adults 65+ are taking at least one prescription drug each month — and more than 42% are taking five or more prescription drugs monthly. If you’re 65 or older, it’s worth looking into how signing up for Medicare Part D coverage may save you money — especially if you are already taking multiple prescriptions.

Who qualifies for Medicare Part D?

Anyone who is eligible for Medicare coverage is also eligible for Medicare Part D. In general, you will qualify for Medicare if you are 65 years of age or older. However, if you are under 65, you may also qualify under special circumstances — for example, if you’re disabled (and have been receiving disability checks from Social Security Disability Insurance for at least 24 months) or have end-stage renal disease.

More information on Medicare Special Needs Plans can be found here.

Where can you sign up for it?

Once you are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, you can sign up for Medicare Part D coverage on the Medicare Plan Finder page. You can review and select health plans after entering your zip code and answering a series of questions. If you are already enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan, your plan will automatically renew, so technically, you’ll only need to visit the website if you want to change plans. However, it’s still a good idea to review your plan every year in case your current plan has changed — or to see if a different plan would better fit your current needs.

Important to note:

A Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D can change its official list of medicines that may be prescribed each year. This means that a drug that was covered in 2018, may not be covered by the same company in 2019.

Medicare plans may also change their network of providers, change the way they cover a medical service, and/or drop additional benefits like dental, vision and hearing coverage.

How much does it cost?

The Medicare Plan Finder page will also give you pricing information. You will be prompted to type in your list of medications and select your preferred pharmacy. The website will then populate with a list of plans you can choose from. The cost of your Medicare Part D plan may vary based on the plan you select and where you live. You’ll want to compare plan costs and copays to determine which plan will work best for you.

Need help?

Please ask one of our pharmacists. We can help you work through which plan is right for you and help you with enrollment. We also have a computer program that will automatically populate your medications, so you don’t have to do it yourself. Get started sooner rather than later so you have plenty of time to determine which plan is right for you.