Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Webcasts
  • Data Privacy
  • Français
  • my CNW 
    • Login
    • Register
  • Client Login 
    • Online Member Centre
    • Next Gen Communications Cloud
    • Cision Communications Cloud®
  • Sign Up
  • Send a Release
Return to PR Newswire homepage
  • News
  • Products
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
Advanced Search
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • All Public Company
      • News Releases Overview

      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
      • Multimedia Gallery Overview

      • Trending Topics

      • All Trending Topics
  • Business
      • Auto & Transportation

      • All Automotive & Transportation
      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • Auto & Transportation Overview

      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • All Business Technology
      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • Business Technology Overview

      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • All Entertain­ment & Media
      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • Entertain­ment & Media Overview

      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • All Financial Services & Investing
      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • Financial Services & Investing Overview

      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • All General Business
      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • General Business Overview

      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • All Consumer Technology
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • Consumer Technology Overview

      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • All Energy
      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • Energy & Natural Resources Overview

      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • All Environ­ment
      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • Environ­ment Overview

      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing Overview

      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • All Telecomm­unications
      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • Telecomm­unications Overview

      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • All Consumer Products & Retail
      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • Consumer Products & Retail Overview

      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • All Entertain­ment & Media
      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • Entertain­ment & Media Overview

      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • All Health
      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • Health Overview

      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • All Sports
      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • Sports Overview

      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • All Travel
      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • Travel Overview

      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • All Policy & Public Interest
      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Canadian Federal Government
      • Canadian Municipal Government
      • Canadian Provincial Government
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • Policy & Public Interest Overview

      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • All People & Culture
      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • People & Culture Overview

      • View All People & Culture

  • Advanced Search
  • Overview
  • Multichannel Amplification
  • Monitoring
  • Distribution
  • Multimedia
  • Guaranteed Paid Placement
  • AI Tools
  • IR
  • Become a Client
  • Request a Demo
  • Editorial Bureaus
  • Partnerships
  • General Enquiries
  • Media
  • Worldwide Offices
  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision Canada
  • Send a Release
  • FR
    • Phone

    • 877-269-7890 from 8 AM - 10 PM ET

    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Cision

      877-269-7890
      from 8 AM - 10 PM ET

  • Send a Release
  • Sign Up
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Webcasts
  • GDPR
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
    • Trending Topics
  • Business
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
    • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Sign Up
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Webcasts
  • GDPR
  • Overview
  • Multichannel Amplification
  • Monitoring
  • Distribution
  • Multimedia
  • Guaranteed Paid Placement
  • AI Tools
  • IR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign Up
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Webcasts
  • GDPR
  • Become a Client
  • Request a Demo
  • Editorial Bureaus
  • Partnerships
  • General Enquiries
  • Media
  • Worldwide Offices
  • Send a Release
  • Sign Up
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Webcasts
  • GDPR

Survey reveals the anaphylaxis concerns of travelling Canadians at risk of severe allergic reactions Français


News provided by

Pfizer Canada Inc.

May 15, 2012, 07:30 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

Pfizer Canada Inc. and WestJet offer suggestions for a safer and less stressful travel experience

KIRKLAND, QC  and CALGARY, AB, May 15, 2012 /CNW/ - Pfizer Canada Inc., makers of EpiPen® (epinephrine) Auto-Injector, and WestJet today announced results of a survey commissioned to determine the concerns of Canadians at risk of anaphylaxis who may be travelling this summer.

A total of 666 Canadian adults, who were all prescreened as being at risk of anaphylaxis,a or as being responsible for a child at risk, were asked about their allergy concerns when planning a trip.

Forty per cent of respondents expressed that they are not very concerned or not at all concerned with allergy precaution planning. Sixty per cent said they are very to somewhat concerned about allergy precaution planning for future travel.1

According to the survey, respondents at riska said they are "somewhat to very concerned" about taking the following precautions for future travel:

  • A total of 53 per cent were concerned about having an epinephrine auto-injector that is up to date (not expired) and packed for travelling.2 Nearly three quarters (74 per cent) were concerned about ensuring allergy medication is up to date (not expired) and packed.3
  • Among those flying, four in 10 people (43 per cent) said they are concerned about checking the airline's allergy policy prior to departure; four in 10 respondents also are concerned about arranging to have appropriate food on board (42 per cent) or with them on a trip (40 per cent);4

WestJet, in collaboration with Pfizer Canada, has added EpiPen and EpiPen Jr (epinephrine) Auto-Injectors to all medical kits on board their fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. Epinephrine is the first-line medication that should be used for the emergency management of a person having a potentially life-threatening (or severe) allergic reaction.5

"Anaphylaxis can be a serious health concern for Canadians who are not prepared, particularly when travelling during summer and throughout the year," said Lorella Garofalo, Director, Medical Affairs at Pfizer Canada. "Our goal is to raise awareness of the simple steps Canadians can take to prepare for a safer and less stressful trip when travelling this summer."

According to Lorne Mackenzie, WestJet's Director of Environment and Regulatory Affairs: "This survey demonstrates that there are Canadians at risk of anaphylaxis who take active steps to be prepared while travelling. At WestJet, we have embraced our culture of care by stocking EpiPen Auto-Injectors on board our aircraft and providing detailed information on our website for guests with allergies travelling on our airline."

Additionally, WestJet and Pfizer offer the following tips to help those at risk to plan and prepare for holiday travel:

  • Contact airlines to find out their allergy policy. WestJet's detailed policy includes aircraft preparedness and recommendations for guests with allergies.

  • Check out the buy-on-board items for sale on the aircraft. Airlines' websites will most often feature the items for sale. All of the items on board WestJet aircraft are nut free.

  • If travelling alone, inform a flight attendant of your allergy and where you keep your epinephrine auto-injector. WestJet's flight crew is happy to make an announcement to guests seated around you to ensure your comfort.

  • While on board, take note of people nearby and what they are eating. If travellers at risk of severe allergic reactions feel a substance being eaten by someone nearby might be harmful to them, notify the flight crew.

  • Consider choosing a hotel close to a hospital or satellite health facility. Guests travelling on a WestJet Vacation can find the addresses of all hotel properties at westjetvacations.com.

  • Upon arrival at the hotel, note the phone numbers of cabs and emergency service vehicles and keep this information somewhere where it can easily be accessed.

  • Carry an epinephrine auto-injector if you are at risk of anaphylaxis.

The survey also showed that one in 10 respondents (nine per cent) said they have experienced travel in which an epinephrine auto-injector they had with them was actually needed and used.6 The same number said they have experienced a trip in which they did not pack an auto-injector but needed one.7

Among the 666 respondents surveyed,8 just two per cent took each of these five key precautions during their most recent trip: Checking on the airlines allergy policy, packing their own food when flying, researching their destination for emergency medical facilities and allergy friendly restaurants, and making sure their epinephrine auto-injector is up to date. Meanwhile, 31 per cent said they took none of the above key precautions on their most recent trip. Another 34 per cent had taken just one precaution, 22 per cent took two key precautions, and only seven per cent took three precautions.

About Pfizer Canada
Pfizer Canada Inc. is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc., one of the world's leading biopharmaceutical companies. Pfizer discovers, develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines for humans and animals. At Pfizer, we're working together for a healthier world. For more information, visit www.pfizer.ca.

Important Safety Information (ISI):
EpiPen (epinephrine) Auto-Injectors are indicated for the emergency treatment of anaphylactic reactions in patients who are determined by a physician to be at increased risk of anaphylaxis. EpiPen Auto-Injectors are designed as emergency supportive therapy only. After administration, patients should seek medical attention immediately or go to the emergency room. This product may not be right for you, always read and follow the label. For details on EpiPen, or educational and product safety information, please visit www.EpiPen.ca.

About Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that some people have to foods (like peanuts and shellfish), insect stings and bites, medicine, or latex. For some people, it is triggered by exercise. It is a severe allergic reaction that can occur when a person's immune system strongly reacts to an allergen (an allergy-causing substance or event). Symptoms may include one or more of the following: swelling and itching in the mouth and throat, a rash anywhere on the body, difficulty in swallowing or speaking, difficulty breathing, or collapse or unconsciousness. According to Health Canada, food allergies affect as many as 5% to 6% of young children and 3% to 4% of adults in Canada.9 Anaphylaxis Canada estimates that one in two Canadians know someone with a serious food allergy. Severity of an occurrence is unpredictable in at-risk patients, and mild allergic symptoms can be followed by a life-threatening reaction. Epinephrine - also known as adrenaline - is recognized by healthcare professionals as the treatment of choice for severe allergic reactions. It is the drug form of a hormone that the body produces naturally.

About WestJet
WestJet is Canada's preferred airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 76-city North American and Caribbean network. Inducted into Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame and named one of Canada's best employers, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. WestJet offers increased legroom and leather seats on its modern fleet of 98 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 37 aircraft through 2018, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

Connect with WestJet on Facebook at www.facebook.com/westjet
Follow WestJet on Twitter at www.twitter.com/westjet
Subscribe to WestJet on YouTube at www.youtube.com/westjet

About the Ipsos Reid Survey
The survey was commissioned by Pfizer Canada and conducted by Ipsos Reid online between March 2nd and 9th, 2012 among a sample of 666 Canadian adults 18+ years of age who were all prescreened to ensure that they, or children for whom they were responding, are considered at risk of severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. The survey defined "anaphylaxis" as a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that some people have to foods (like peanuts and shellfish), insect stings and bites, medicine, latex, or allergic to or triggered by exercise. It is a severe allergic reaction that occurs when a person is exposed to an allergen (an allergy-causing substance). Symptoms include the following: Swelling and itching in the mouth and throat, a rash anywhere on the body, difficulty in swallowing or speaking, difficulty breathing, collapse or unconsciousness. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of 666 Canadian adults and a 100 per cent response rate would have an estimated margin of error of ±3.8 percentage points 19 times out of 20 of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults who are at risk of anaphylaxis been polled. Differences were tested using a 95 per cent confidence interval. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error.

References

________________________________
a As defined in the Ipsos Reid survey commissioned by Pfizer Canada (March 2-9 2012)

  1. IPSOS REID "2012 Anaphylaxis Travel Survey Report, Page 30. "When planning future travel, how concerned do you believe you will be with allergy precaution planning?"
  2. IPSOS REID "2012 Anaphylaxis Travel Survey Report, Page 10. "Thinking ahead to the next time you travel, how concerned do you anticipate being with the following?"
  3. IPSOS REID "2012 Anaphylaxis Travel Survey Report, Page 10. "Thinking ahead to the next time you travel, how concerned do you anticipate being with the following?"
  4. IPSOS REID "2012 Anaphylaxis Travel Survey Report, Page 10. "Thinking ahead to the next time you travel, how concerned do you anticipate being with the following?"
  5. Anaphylaxis Canada. Accessed March 19, 2012. Available at: www.anaphylaxis.ca/en/anaphylaxis101/epinephrine.html
  6. IPSOS REID "2012 Anaphylaxis Travel Survey Report, Page 40. "Have you ever experienced a situation when travelling in which you did take an epinephrine auto-injector with you and used it during a severe allergic reaction that you experienced at that time?"
  7. IPSOS REID "2012 Anaphylaxis Travel Survey Report, Page 40. "Have you ever experienced a situation when travelling in which you did not take an epinephrine auto-injector with you but needed it due to a severe allergic reaction that you experienced at that time?"
  8. IPSOS REID "2012 Anaphylaxis Travel Survey Report, Page 11 "Precautions taken on most recent travel."
  9. Health Canada. Accessed March 19, 2012. Available at: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/allerg/index-eng.php

EpiPen®, EpiPen® Jr are registered trademarks of Mylan Inc. licensed exclusively to its wholly-owned affiliate, Dey Pharma, LP. of Napa, California USA, sub-licensee, Pfizer Canada Inc., Kirkland, Quebec, H9J 2M5

Media inquiries:

Pfizer Canada Inc.
Christina Antoniou
1-866-9PFIZER (9734937)
[email protected]

Porter Novelli Canada
Alison Crocker
416-422-7187
[email protected]

WestJet
Media Relations
1-888-WJ-4-NEWS (1-888-954-6397)
[email protected]

Modal title

Organization Profile

Pfizer Canada Inc.

    Also from this source

  • Uniting for Migraine Awareness: Second Year of Out of Office for Migraine Awareness Educates Canadian Workplaces

  • Pfizer's IXIFI® will be available in Canada as of April 1, 2025

Contact Cision

  • 866-245-2317
    from 8 AM - 10 PM ET
  • Become a Client
  • Request a Demo
  • Editorial Bureaus
  • Partnerships
  • General Enquiries
  • Media

Products

  • Cision Communications Cloud®
  • Media Monitoring
  • Content Distribution
  • Multimedia Distribution
  • Measurement & Analytics
  • Investor Relations

About

  • About Cision Canada
  • About Cision
  • Media Partners
  • Careers
  • Accessibility Statement
  • APAC
  • APAC - Simplified Chinese
  • APAC - Traditional Chinese
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Czech
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Mexico
  • Middle East
  • Middle East - Arabic
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • Slovakia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • United States
  • Vietnam

My Services

  • All News Releases
  • Online Member Centre
  • Next Gen Communications Cloud
  • Cision Communications Cloud®
  • my CNW

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact Cision

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Online Member Centre
  • Next Gen Communications Cloud
  • Cision Communications Cloud
  • my CNW
877-269-7890
from 8 AM - 10 PM ET
  • Terms of Use
  • Information Security Policy
  • Site Map
  • Cookie Settings
  • Accessibility Statement
Copyright © 2025 CNW Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved. A Cision company.