MedImmune announced today that it has begun shipping FluMist® (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal) to influenza vaccine distributors who service health care providers throughout the United States.

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MedImmune expects to provide approximately 15 million doses of its trivalent (three-strain) nasal spray flu vaccine for the 2010-2011 influenza season through a variety of private health care practices, public health departments, school-located vaccination programs, military bases, and other venues.  

Earlier this year, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel of immunization experts advising the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded the recommendations for annual influenza vaccination to include all people aged six months and older. Please refer to the specific prescribing information for each manufacturers' influenza vaccines as not all vaccines are indicated for all ages.

The CDC also recommends that flu vaccine be administered to eligible recipients every year as soon as the vaccine becomes available.  A MedImmune analysis looking at pediatric populations suggests that starting influenza vaccination in August and September -- months earlier than the typical influenza vaccination season -- may help reach an additional 10.5 million children at already-scheduled healthcare provider visits.

Global public health authorities have determined that this season's vaccine will include the 2009 H1N1 pandemic strain among the three vaccine strains. Additionally, the ACIP voted in June 2010 to recommend that children younger than nine years who did not receive at least one dose of the H1N1 monovalent vaccine in the 2009-2010 season should receive two doses of the 2010-2011 trivalent seasonal vaccine.  

"MedImmune is committed to supporting public health efforts to initiate seasonal influenza vaccination as early as possible each year, greatly widening the window of opportunity for vaccination," said Alex Zukiwski, MD, MedImmune's Executive Vice President, Clinical Research & Chief Medical Officer. "The public can be reassured that influenza vaccination with FluMist in the late summer helps protect against influenza throughout the influenza season, even into the late spring."

FluMist is available in every state, except South Dakota, through the federally funded Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which provides vaccines at no cost to eligible children.  Based on a nationally-representative sample of private insurance claims from approximately 50 percent of US patients, FluMist accounted for 34 percent of seasonal influenza vaccinations given to children two through 18 years of age during the 2009-2010 season. FluMist is covered by approximately 99 percent of private health plans which offer immunization benefits.

FluMist is now available on the Vaccine for Adults contract allowing state and local immunization programs to access the vaccine at the public-sector price for community vaccination programs focused on young adults and immunization of first-responders and healthcare workers.

Important Safety and Eligibility Information for FluMist

Who may be eligible for FluMist® (Influenza Vaccine Live, Intranasal)?

FluMist is a vaccine approved for the prevention of certain types of influenza disease in children, adolescents and adults 2-49 years of age. FluMist may not protect everyone who gets it. FluMist is for intranasal administration only.

Who may not be able to get FluMist?

FluMist is not right for everyone. FluMist must not be given to: people with history of hypersensitivity to eggs, egg proteins, gentamicin, gelatin or arginine; people with life-threatening reactions to previous influenza vaccinations; and children and adolescents receiving aspirin or aspirin-containing therapy.  Children less than 24 months of age are not eligible for FluMist.

The following people may not be able to get FluMist or may be able to get it only in certain situations: people with asthma or active wheezing, or children less than five years of age with recurrent wheezing; people with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome; people with a weakened immune system; people with long-term medical conditions including heart disease, kidney disease, and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes; and pregnant women.

If you or your child falls into one of these groups, their healthcare provider will decide if FluMist is right for you or your child.

What are the most common side effects of FluMist?

Most common side effects included runny nose or nasal congestion, sore throat, and fever. For a full list of side effects, please see section 6.1 in the following product information.

Please see the complete product information, including patient information at www.medimmune.com.

For more information, please visit www.FluMist.com.

About MedImmune

MedImmune, the worldwide biologics unit for AstraZeneca PLC (LSE: AZN.L, NYSE: AZN), has approximately 3,300 employees worldwide and is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland. With an advancing pipeline of promising drug candidates, MedImmune strives to deliver life-changing products, a rewarding career to our employees and a tireless commitment to improving patient health. For more information, visit MedImmune's website at www.medimmune.com.

SOURCE MedImmune

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General Motors has announced that it will convert the air conditioning systems in its entire fleet of Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GM models from using high-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants to a new refrigerant with a much lower climate impact.  The HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) refrigerant currently used in virtually every American model car and truck, HFC-134a has a global warming potential (GWP) of 1400 compared to the new refrigerant's (HFC-1234yf) GWP of 4.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from mobile air conditioning account for approximately 40% of all annual US HFC emissions.  Introduced as replacements for ozone depleting substances, HFCs do not damage the ozone layer but are potent global warming agents and considered 'super' greenhouse gases.

Widely used as refrigerants, aerosol propellants and in foam blowing applications, scientific studies have indicated that soaring worldwide demand for HFCs could sabotage efforts to combat climate change.  This threat and the opportunity to replace HFCs with low impact alternative refrigerants has prompted efforts by environmentalists and the Obama Administration to eliminate HFCs' and their growing contribution to global warming.

"GM's decision to eliminate HFCs heralds the beginning of the end for an entire class of greenhouse gases," said Alexander von Bismarck, Executive Director of the Environmental Investigation Agency.  "We should expect other automakers and manufacturing sectors to follow GM's lead, and for the transition to alternative and natural refrigerants to accelerate dramatically."

GM's announcement is also expected to have profound impacts in developing countries that represent the largest area of growth for HFC production and use.  The recent effort by Canada, Mexico and the US to secure an international agreement to phase out HFCs under the Montreal Protocol should also benefit as it becomes apparent that the world's largest consumer and import markets are moving away from HFCs.  

"Consumers and producers alike need to recognize that HFCs are no longer part of the solution but part of the problem and one that we can solve," added Mr. Bismarck.  

For more information To view EIA's reports on climate and atmosphere visit:

http://www.eia-global.org/global_climate/global_climate_reports.html

SOURCE Environmental Investigation Agency

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Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to expand its service between the United States and Brazil, which would allow increased flights between its Detroit hub and Sao Paulo.

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Delta has received approval to begin twice-weekly service between Detroit and Sao Paulo Oct 21. If approved, the new flights will allow that service to be operated five days per week.

Detroit-Sao Paulo is an important business route for the industrial Midwest. Business customers require regular and frequent service, and Delta's proposed five weekly flights approach the daily service Delta would like to eventually provide. The three additional frequencies Delta has requested will significantly enhance the consumer benefits and competitiveness of the Detroit gateway.

Delta's service will create a new gateway to Brazil in the Midwest region, and continue Detroit's expansion as an international hub. In recent months, Delta has added service from Detroit to Seoul-Incheon and Hong Kong and expanded service to Shanghai. In January 2011, Delta will begin nonstop service from Detroit to Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

"This new service will enable us to connect Sao Paulo, South America's largest business market, and Delta's major international hub in Detroit five days each week," said Andrea Fischer Newman, senior vice president – Government Affairs. "Our expanded service will further strengthen business and trade opportunities and boost economic activity in both Detroit and Sao Paulo, while increasing competition by providing more options for U.S. travelers in the Midwest."

The flights will be operated with 216-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, with 35 BusinessElite seats and 181 seats in Economy Class.

Delta's proposed Detroit-Sao Paulo winter schedule*:

* Includes two frequencies already approved by DOT and three frequencies pending government approval

In its application, Delta requested permission for three additional flight authorities between the U.S. and Brazil, specifically for service between Atlanta and Rio de Janeiro. If approved, Delta would shift three of its existing Rio de Janeiro authorities from Atlanta to Detroit for the expanded Sao Paulo service.

Delta's current service between Atlanta and Rio de Janeiro would be unaffected. The shift in flights from Atlanta to Detroit is necessary because the authorities Delta is using to operate its Atlanta-Rio de Janeiro service can be used between any cities in the U.S. and Brazil, while the new authorities cannot be used for service to Sao Paulo until that airport completes infrastructure improvements.

Delta currently serves 147 destinations from its Detroit hub, including 20 international destinations. Delta customers flying at Detroit Metropolitan Airport enjoy service at the state-of-the-art, 120-gate terminal designed specifically for international connections. Detroit's airport was recently ranked No. 1 among large airports in overall customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates.

Delta currently offers service between Atlanta and Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Manaus; and service between New York-JFK and Sao Paulo.  In December, Delta became the first U.S. airline to offer nonstop service to Brazil's capital city, with nonstop service between Atlanta and Brasilia.

Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. With its unsurpassed global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 369 destinations in 67 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs more than 70,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry's leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 13,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airline's service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, the world's largest airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 45 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.

SOURCE Delta Air Lines

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General Motors has announced that it will convert the air conditioning systems in its entire fleet of Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GM models from using high-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants to a new refrigerant with a much lower climate impact.  The HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) refrigerant currently used in virtually every American model car and truck, HFC-134a has a global warming potential (GWP) of 1400 compared to the new refrigerant's (HFC-1234yf) GWP of 4.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from mobile air conditioning account for approximately 40% of all annual US HFC emissions.  Introduced as replacements for ozone depleting substances, HFCs do not damage the ozone layer but are potent global warming agents and considered 'super' greenhouse gases.

Widely used as refrigerants, aerosol propellants and in foam blowing applications, scientific studies have indicated that soaring worldwide demand for HFCs could sabotage efforts to combat climate change.  This threat and the opportunity to replace HFCs with low impact alternative refrigerants has prompted efforts by environmentalists and the Obama Administration to eliminate HFCs' and their growing contribution to global warming.

"GM's decision to eliminate HFCs heralds the beginning of the end for an entire class of greenhouse gases," said Alexander von Bismarck, Executive Director of the Environmental Investigation Agency.  "We should expect other automakers and manufacturing sectors to follow GM's lead, and for the transition to alternative and natural refrigerants to accelerate dramatically."

GM's announcement is also expected to have profound impacts in developing countries that represent the largest area of growth for HFC production and use.  The recent effort by Canada, Mexico and the US to secure an international agreement to phase out HFCs under the Montreal Protocol should also benefit as it becomes apparent that the world's largest consumer and import markets are moving away from HFCs.  

"Consumers and producers alike need to recognize that HFCs are no longer part of the solution but part of the problem and one that we can solve," added Mr. Bismarck.  

For more information To view EIA's reports on climate and atmosphere visit:

http://www.eia-global.org/global_climate/global_climate_reports.html

SOURCE Environmental Investigation Agency

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Verizon Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) announced that the Samsung Haven™ is available for order today.  The Samsung Haven has earned the prestigious Good Housekeeping Seal and is ideal for customers who want an easy-to-use wireless phone packed with features.

Color: Charcoal Grey

Key features and specifications:

• Slim form factor
• 2.2-inch internal screen
• Large, easy-to-read display
• Full menu readout for improved accessibility
• Text messaging capable
• 56-note polyphonic ringtones
• Adjustable font size
• Dedicated keys for one-touch quick access to Emergency 911 (E911), speakerphone, voicemail, voice commands, In Case of Emergency (ICE), and My Pictures
• Customers can program the ICE button with up to three personalized contacts that first responders can easily find in the event of an emergency

Lifestyle features:

• Well-Being and Health Tools – A reminder alarm with up to five alarms, a fitness trainer that offers 15 unique stretching techniques, four different healing music selections to help relieve stress, and a medical information application that lets users make medical notes and stores their information such as allergies and medications
• Personal Organizer and Tools – Calendar and scheduling assistant, calculator with currency converter, world clock, and stop watch

Price and availability:

• The Samsung Haven is available for order today and will be available on July 29 at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $39.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.  
• For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 92 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, Nasdaq: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.  

About Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

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