Sanofi aims to topple the flu as it marks National Seniors Day with a Guinness World Record attempt

• Influenza has a significant human and economic impact due to the burden of illness and high number of hospitalizations. With the majority of these in seniors,ⁱ the impact on them and their families can be profound.

TORONTO, Oct. 1, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccine division of Sanofi, marks National Seniors Day with an attempt to set a world record using tissue box dominoes to show that for seniors, seasonal influenza needs more than just tissues. Influenza, often seen as just a cold, is estimated to be responsible for an average of 12,200 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths annually in Canada,ⁱⁱ with seniors accounting for 67 per cent of hospitalizations and 84 per cent of deaths.ⁱⁱⁱ Influenza is the seventh leading cause of death in Canada amongst vaccine-preventable diseases.^iv

To bring to life the domino effect of the flu on seniors, and ultimately, their families and communities, Sanofi Pasteur is attempting a Guinness World Record and unveiling a photo exhibition that documents a father and son's journey with the flu at the Richmond-Adelaide Centre, in downtown Toronto.

Due to weakening immune systems,^v adults 65 and older have lower responses to infections, greater susceptibility to the flu,^vi and are at high risk for complications or hospitalization if they get the flu.^vii When it comes to vaccination, older adults may not respond as well to a standard dose vaccine compared to younger adults.^viii Data shows that Fluzone High-Dose^®, which contains four times the amount of antigen compared to a standard dose vaccine, is 24 per cent more effective in protecting seniors from seasonal influenza.^ix,x,xi

"Seniors have contributed so much to the society in which we live in today, it's important that we take time to recognize their past and ongoing contributions on National Seniors Day and ensure that they are well cared for in their later years," says Anthony Quinn, Director, Community Affairs at CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons). "Contracting the flu can dramatically change a senior's quality of life – a stay in the hospital can reduce their mobility and independence and those effects can be long-lasting. CARP is encouraging all seniors across Ontario to protect themselves from the flu this season by taking advantage of the new vaccine available for the 65-plus."

In its 2018-2019 influenza recommendations, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), concluded that the higher dose flu vaccine provides superior protection compared to standard dose flu shot, and should be offered to adults 65 years of age and older.^xii

"Many seniors are living with chronic conditions – in fact, almost three quarters of seniors have at least one chronic condition.^xiii Influenza can worsen these, like diabetes or kidney disease and trigger other conditions such as stroke or heart attack,"^xiv says Dr. William Dalziel, Professor of Geriatric Medicine, University of Ottawa. "That's why it's so crucial to protect seniors from the flu. Studies show the higher dose vaccine could help reduce infections and hospitalizations among seniors."^xv

FLUZONE^® High-Dose in Canada

Currently, Ontario is the only province to offer the higher dose vaccine free of charge to all adults 65 years of age and older,^xvi while Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island offer the vaccine to those in long-term care facilities.

About FLUZONE^® High-Dose Vaccine

FLUZONE^® High-Dose is a trivalent vaccine that contains four times the amount of hemagglutinin (HA) per strain as compared to a standard dose vaccine. FLUZONE^® High-Dose is indicated for active immunization against influenza caused by the specific strains of influenza virus contained in the vaccine in adults 65 years of age and older. It is administered as a single 0.5 mL injection by the intramuscular route. Higher rates of some injection-site and systemic reactions were observed among recipients of the high-dose vaccine compared to standard-dose vaccine, but most reactions were mild and resolved within three days.^xvii,xviii

For more information about FLUZONE^® High-Dose Influenza Vaccine, please visit: www.fluhd.ca

About Sanofi

Sanofi is dedicated to supporting people through their health challenges. We are a global biopharmaceutical company focused on human health. We prevent illness with vaccines, provide innovative treatments to fight pain and ease suffering. We stand by the few who suffer from rare diseases and the millions with long-term chronic conditions.

With more than 100,000 people in 100 countries, Sanofi is transforming scientific innovation into healthcare solutions around the globe.

Sanofi, Empowering Life

References:

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ⁱ Government of Canada. FluWatch. March 11-17, 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/publications/diseases-conditions/fluwatch/2017-2018/week11-march-11-march-17-2018/pub-eng.pdf.

ⁱⁱ Schanzer, D.L., Sevenhuysen, C., Winchester, B., & Mersereau, T. (2013). Estimating influenza deaths in Canada,

1992-2009. PloS ONE, 8(11), e80481. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0080481.

ⁱⁱⁱ Government of Canada. FluWatch. March 11-17, 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/publications/diseases-conditions/fluwatch/2017-2018/week11-march-11-march-17-2018/pub-eng.pdf.

^iv Statistics Canada. (2017). The 10 leading causes of death, 2013. Retrieved from:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-625-x/2017001/article/14776-eng.htm.

^v Haq, K., McElhaney, J. E. (2014). Immunosenescence: Influenza vaccination and the elderly. Curr Opin Immunol, 29,38-42.

^vi Monto A.S., Ansaldi, F., McElhaney, J.E., Montano, L.F., Nichol, K.L., Puig-Barbera, J.,Stephenson, I. (2009). Influenza control in the 21st century: Optimizing protection of older adults. Vaccine, 27, 5043-5053. 

^vii National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). (2017). An Advisory Committee Statement (ACS): Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter on Influenza and Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2018–2019. Public Health Agency Of Canada. 

^viii McElhaney, J.E., et al. (2016). T-Cell Immunity to Influenza in Older Adults: A Pathophysiological Framework for Development of More Effective Vaccines. Frontiers in Immunology, 7(41), 1-11.

^ix DiazGranados, C.A. et al. (2014). Efficacy of high-dose versus standard-dose influenza vaccine in older adults. The New England Journal of Medicine 371, 635-645.

^x Product Monograph: FLUZONE® High-Dose Influenza Virus Vaccine Trivalent Types A and B (Split Virion). Sanofi Pasteur. Approved May 2016.

^xi Public Health Agency of Canada (2016). An Advisory Committee Statement (ACS) National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI): Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter on Influenza and Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2016-2017. Retrieved from: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/naci-ccni/flu-2016-grippe-eng.php.

^xii National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). (2017). An Advisory Committee Statement (ACS): Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter on Influenza and Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2018–2019. Public Health Agency Of Canada. 

^xiii Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). Seniors and the Health Care System. Analysis. January 2011.

^xiv Wang, C., et al. (2007). Impact of influenza vaccination on major cause-specific mortality. Vaccine, 25(7), 1196-1203.

^xv Becker et al. High-dose inactivated influenza vaccine is associated with cost savings and better outcomes compared to standard-dose inactivated influenza vaccine in Canadian seniors. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. 2016, VOL. 12, NO. 12, 3036–3042.

^xvi Government of Ontario. Ontario Supporting Seniors to Live Their Best Life. Retrieved from: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2017/11/ontario-supporting-seniors-to-live-their-best-life-1.html?utm_source=ondemand&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p. 

^xvii Product Monograph: FLUZONE® High-Dose Influenza Virus Vaccine Trivalent Types A and B (Split Virion). Sanofi Pasteur.  Approved May 2016.

^xviii Public Health Agency of Canada (2016). An Advisory Committee Statement (ACS) National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI): Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter on Influenza and Interim Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2016-2017.

SOURCE Sanofi

For further information: Media Relations Contact: Maggie Wang Maric, Tel.: [phone], [e-mail]; Lisa Cancian, Tel.: [phone], [e-mail]