AMENDED MEDIA RELEASE - This is an Amended Media Release further to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.'s ("Novartis") Media Release issued on January 7, 2015 for Fluad Pediatric®.

On November 28, 2014, Fluad Pediatric^® designed specifically for infants was authorized for sale in Canada

DORVAL, QC, July 4, 2016 /CNW/ - Novartis announced on January 7, 2015 that Health Canada had authorized  Fluad Pediatric^® (MF59^® adjuvanted seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine) for sale in Canada for use in children 6 months to less than 2 years of age. Fluad Pediatric^® contains MF59^®, a Novartis proprietary adjuvant¹.

Fluad Pediatric^® is administered as a 0.25 mL injection in children 6 months to less than 2 years of age¹.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) encourages annual vaccination for all Canadians who have no contraindication². Influenza vaccines should be offered to the pediatric and elderly populations up to and even after seasonal influenza virus activity is documented in a community².

Fluad Pediatric^® protects against the influenza subtypes contained in the vaccine and will not treat influenza. It cannot prevent complications, hospitalization and death associated with the flu. As with any vaccine, Fluad Pediatric^® may not protect 100% of individuals against the flu. Ask your doctor if Fluad Pediatric^® is right for your child.

About Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., a leader in the healthcare field, is committed to the discovery, development and marketing of innovative products to improve the well-being of all Canadians. In 2015, the company invested $53 million in research and development in Canada. Located in Dorval, Quebec, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. employs more than 700 people in Canada and is an affiliate of Novartis AG, which provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. For further information, please consult www.novartis.ca.

About Novartis

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio: innovative medicines, eye care and cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2015, the Group achieved net sales of USD 49.4 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 8.9 billion (USD 8.7 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 119,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are available in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.

References
1.	Canadian Product Monograph, November 7, 2014.
2.	Canada Communicable Disease Report. Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2013–2014. Available at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/13vol39/acs-dcc-4/assets/pdf/13vol39-acs-dcc4-eng.pdf.

SOURCE Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.

Novartis Media Relations: Novartis Pharma Communications, [phone], [email protected]