Sanofi Pasteur and Actor Chris O’Donnell Launch Fluzone® Intradermal (Influenza Virus Vaccine) Vacc

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Sanofi Pasteur and Actor Chris O'Donnell are teaming up to raise awareness about the seriousness of influenza and available vaccine options for adults 18 through 64 years of age, including Fluzone® Intradermal vaccine.
"I understand the importance of helping to protect myself against the flu, which is why I got my flu vaccination," said O'Donnell. Â "When my doctor and I talked this year about what may make my experience a good one, we determined Fluzone Intradermal vaccine was the best choice for me. The device has a needle smaller than a grain of rice, which for me, made a big difference."
 
Despite a recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that everyone six months of age and older receive an annual influenza vaccination, on average, only a third of adults in the U.S. 18 through 64 years of age are immunized, leaving far too many unprotected and at risk for spreading the virus to those at high-risk like young children and older adults.
 
Results from a recent telephone survey of 663 adults revealed these low rates highlight a disconnect between fear and action, as two out of every three (67 percent) adults 18 through 64 years of age said their biggest fear regarding influenza is spreading the virus to their loved ones, yet three in five (61 percent) adults said they remain unvaccinated against the flu.
The survey also showed that 53 percent of adults 18 through 64 years of age who were vaccinated annually reported that their vaccination experience would be better if the needle was much smaller, and 65 percent said their experience would be better if access to the flu shot was more convenient.
 
These low immunization rates prompted star of the hit television series "NCIS Los Angeles," Chris O'Donnell, to join Sanofi Pasteur in a nationwide effort to educate adults, a sometimes overlooked population, about available vaccine options and encourage influenza immunization.
 
"It is important for people to remember influenza can strike anyone and that the single most important thing adults can do to help prevent getting or spreading the flu is to get their annual flu vaccination," said Carlos E. Picone, M.D., F.C.C.P., Vice-Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C.  Â "I encourage adults to speak with their health care provider or pharmacist to determine if vaccination is right for them and to learn more about available vaccine options."
 
Fluzone Intradermal vaccine is the only FDA-approved intradermal flu vaccine for adults 18 through 64 years of age in the United States. The device features an ultra-thin, 90 percent smaller needle that works just under the skin to help provide adults with the flu protection they need.
 
To find out where Fluzone Intradermal vaccine is available in your area, visit www.Fluzone.com or talk to your health care provider or pharmacist for more information.
 
About Fluzone Intradermal Coop de Quill VacciNation Tour
 
The Fluzone Intradermal Coop de Quill VacciNation Tour is a national initiative that aims to raise awareness about the seriousness of influenza and the various vaccine options that are available for adults this flu season. Â Sanofi Pasteur and actor Chris O'Donnell are teaming up to educate adults, a sometimes overlooked population, that the single most important thing they can do to help prevent getting or spreading the flu is to get their annual vaccination. Â Chris will share his personal flu vaccination experience and help to educate about this potentially deadly disease and vaccine options through various media activities this flu season.
 
Additionally, the Coop de Quill VacciNation Tour is joining forces with various retail pharmacy partners to bring Fluzone Intradermal vaccine to cities across the nation. The Coop de Quill vehicle will be making a stop in five tour cities: Baltimore, Chicago, Raleigh, San Francisco, and Seattle. At each stop attendees will have the opportunity to have one-on-one discussions with clinic pharmacists to better understand the importance of annual influenza vaccination and the various vaccine options available to them. Â Attendees can also get immunized with Fluzone Intradermal vaccine at a flu clinic hosted at each retailer and receive other items to help keep them healthy this flu season.
 
To help protect more adults from influenza, Sanofi Pasteur has donated influenza vaccine to AmeriCares as part of the campaign. Â AmeriCares is a nonprofit humanitarian aid organization that works to address health care gaps globally, both in times of emergency response or as part of ongoing support for sustainable health care. 
 
About Influenza
 
Influenza is a serious respiratory illness that is easily spread and can lead to severe complications, even death. Each year in the U.S., 1 in 5 people, or up to 20 percent of the population gets the flu and an estimated 226,000 people are hospitalized from influenza-related complications. Influenza seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Depending on virus severity during the influenza season, annual deaths can range from a low of 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. Combined with pneumonia, influenza is the nation's ninth leading cause of death. Vaccination is safe and effective and the best way to help prevent influenza and its complications.
 
About Fluzone Intradermal Vaccine
 
Fluzone Intradermal vaccine, the only FDA approved intradermal flu vaccine in the United States, is an inactivated influenza virus vaccine given to people 18 through 64 years of age for active immunization against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine. The Fluzone Intradermal vaccine needle is an ultra-thin microneedle that is 90 percent smaller and only goes as deep as the skin's surface to help protect against the flu. Â Smaller than a grain of rice, the microneedle includes an ultra-thin tip (1.5mm long) that has the same thickness as a U.S. penny.
 
Safety Information
 
Redness, firmness, swelling, and itching at the injection site occur more frequently with Fluzone Intradermal vaccine than with Fluzone vaccine.  Other common side effects to Fluzone Intradermal vaccine include pain, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. Side effects other than those listed above may occur. Fluzone Intradermal vaccine should not be administered to anyone with a severe allergic reaction to any vaccine component, including eggs, egg products, or to a previous dose of any influenza vaccine. Tell the doctor if you have ever experienced Guillain-Barre syndrome (severe muscle weakness) after a previous dose of influenza vaccine. If you notice any other problems or symptoms following vaccination, please contact your health care professional immediately. Vaccination with Fluzone Intradermal vaccine may not protect all individuals.
 
About The Survey
 
The survey results are from GfK Roper's weekly telephone omnibus service, OmniTel. Interviewing was conducted from June 1-3, 2012. A total of 1005 interviews with adults aged 18+ were completed, with 663 among the target subgroup of adults aged 18 through 64. The margin of error for this study is +/- 3 percentage points for total sample and is higher for subgroups.
This survey was sponsored by Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi.
 
About Sanofi
 
Sanofi, a global and diversified health care leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of health care with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer health care, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris  and in New York .