It's only the flu.
Until it isn't.

Not only will vaccinating your patients against influenza help to reduce flu illness, but it may also protect against a variety of potentially severe complications.1 Make a recommendation and offer a flu shot to your eligible patients for the upcoming flu season.

Talking to your appropriate patients about the flu vaccine is essential in helping to reduce flu illness and, in some cases, even flu-related hospitalizations.

WHY RECOMMENDING AND OFFERING THE FLU VACCINE MATTERS

According to a study of data from the 2016 National Internet Flu Survey in 4305 adults aged ≥18 years2:

MORE Adults RECEIVED FLU VACCINATION WHEN BOTH RECOMMENDED AND OFFERED BY THEIR HCP
graph-1 graph-1
RECEIVED FLU VACCINATION
FOLLOWING A VISIT TO THEIR HCP
FOLLOWING A VISIT TO THEIR HCP
graph-2 graph-1
RECEIVED FLU VACCINATION
WHEN RECOMMENDED BY THEIR HCP
WHEN RECOMMENDED BY THEIR HCP
graph-3 graph-1
RECEIVED FLU VACCINATION
WHEN RECOMMENDED AND
OFFERED BY THEIR HCP
WHEN RECOMMENDED AND OFFERED BY THEIR HCP

28% did not visit a doctor during the vaccination.

ABOUT FLU

Seasonal flu vaccination can dramatically reduce influenza complications3

According to CDC estimates for the 2023-2024 flu season, as of the week ending June 1, 2024, there have been3:

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AT LEAST
35 million
flu-related illnesses
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AT LEAST
390,000
flu-related hospitalizations
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm

HOWEVER, THERE IS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT IN VACCINE COVERAGE4

Flu vaccine coverage by age group in the 2023-2024 flu season4
DEMOGRAPHIC GROUP 18-29
Years
30-39
Years
40-49
Years
50-64
Years
65-74
Years
75+
Years
FLU VACCINE COVERAGE, %
2023-2024 Flu Season
34.6%
Coverage
37.7%
Coverage
41.1%
Coverage
51.5%
Coverage
70.7%
Coverage
78.4%
Coverage
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/dashboard/vaccination-adult-coverage.html
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AT RISK

Which patients have the greatest risk of influenza complications?

Vaccination for influenza is especially important for those patients at higher risk of developing serious influenza-related complications5:

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PEOPLE OF ADVANCED AGE

Although flu infection may carry risk for any age group, the risk of serious complications due to the flu is even higher in people aged 65 and older.6

Of patients with influenza-related hospitalizations in 2023-2024,

22%
were aged 50-64
44%
were aged 65+

(According to preliminary CDC cumulative rates for laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations as of June 08, 2024.)7

The importance of protection from the flu is well established for people over 65 years, but flu vaccination is also important for those aged 50 to 64. A recent systematic review of relevant studies found that the disease burden of influenza begins to increase well before age 65.8

As well as posing the threat of flu-related health issues, flu infection in the 50-64 age group adds to the economic burden of illness through missed work days, lost productivity, and increased healthcare costs.8

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PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES

Patients who experience influenza infection are at increased risk of developing flu-related complications if they also have pre-existing medical conditions. Examples of common pre-existing conditions include but are not limited to the following categories:

  • Respiratory/pulmonary disease
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus

In addition to the CDC recommendations for yearly vaccinations, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the American Diabetes Association, and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases all recommend that annual flu vaccination is the best protection from the complications of the flu.9

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PREGNANT WOMEN

The CDC recommends that women receive a flu shot while pregnant and while breastfeeding to help protect themselves and their babies from the flu.10

Recombinant or inactivated flu vaccines are recommended by the CDC, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for women who are pregnant or will become pregnant during flu season.1

Healthcare providers are encouraged to enroll women who receive Flublok during pregnancy in Sanofi’s vaccination pregnancy registry by calling 1-800-822-2463.

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Additional Considerations

When should I administer an influenza vaccine?

Aim to provide influenza vaccination annually by the end of October. But as long as influenza viruses are circulating, flu vaccination should continue to be offered.

Can the flu vaccine be coadministered?10

According to the CDC, vaccines against the flu, COVID-19, and RSV may all be administered at the same visit if the patient is eligible and the timing for each vaccine is right, which may be more convenient for the patient. No clinical trial data on getting all 3 vaccines at the same time. For additional information, visit the CDC website.

What if my patient has an egg allergy?

Per the CDC, people with egg allergy may receive an egg-based or non-egg-based vaccine that is otherwise appropriate for their age and health status. All vaccines should be administered in settings in which staff and equipment are available to quickly recognize and treat allergic reactions as needed.13 Fluzone®, Flublok®, and Fluzone® High-Dose should not be given to anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine (including egg protein for Fluzone® and Fluzone® High-Dose). In addition, Fluzone® and Fluzone® High-Dose should not be given to anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of any influenza vaccine.14-16

Influenza vaccines can help protect your appropriate patients, including some of the most at-risk, from flu-related complications.

Make a recommendation for vaccination this flu season.

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INDICATIONS

Fluzone, Flublok, and Fluzone High-Dose are vaccines indicated for active immunization for the prevention of disease caused by influenza A virus subtypes and type B virus contained in (or in the case of Flublok, represented by antigens contained in) the vaccine. Fluzone is approved for use in persons 6 months of age and older. Flublok is approved for use in persons 18 years of age and older. Fluzone High-Dose is approved for use in persons 65 years of age and older.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

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Do not administer Fluzone, Flublok, or Fluzone High-Dose to anyone with a history of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine (including egg protein for Fluzone and Fluzone High-Dose). Fluzone and Fluzone High-Dose should not be administered to anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction after previous dose of any influenza vaccine.

Appropriate medical treatment must be immediately available to manage potential anaphylactic reactions following administration of the vaccine.

If Guillain-Barré syndrome has occurred within 6 weeks following previous influenza vaccination, the decision to give Fluzone, Flublok, or Fluzone High-Dose should be based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks.

If Fluzone, Flublok, or Fluzone High-Dose are administered to immunocompromised persons, including those receiving immunosuppressive therapy, the expected immune response may not be attained.

Vaccination with Fluzone, Flublok, or Fluzone High-Dose may not protect all recipients.

Syncope (fainting) has been reported following vaccination with Fluzone, Flublok and Fluzone High-Dose. Procedures should be in place to avoid injury from fainting.

For Fluzone, in children 6 months through 8 years of age, the most common injection-site adverse reactions were pain or tenderness and redness; the most common solicited systemic adverse reactions were irritability, drowsiness (6 months through 35 months), and myalgia (3 years through 8 years). In adults 18 through 64 years of age, the most common injection-site adverse reaction was pain; the most common solicited systemic adverse reactions were headache and myalgia. In adults over 65 years of age, the most common injection-site adverse reaction was pain; the most common solicited systemic adverse reactions were headache, myalgia, and malaise.

For Flublok, in adults 18 through 64 years of age, the most common injection site adverse reaction was pain; the most common solicited systemic adverse reactions were headache, fatigue, and myalgia. In adults 65 years of age and older, the most common injection-site adverse reaction was pain; the most common solicited systemic adverse reactions were fatigue and headache.

For Fluzone High-Dose, in adults 65 years of age and older, the most common injection-site reaction was pain; the most common solicited systemic adverse reactions were myalgia, malaise, and headache.

For Fluzone, Flublok, and Fluzone High-Dose, other adverse reactions may occur.

Before administration, please see the full Prescribing Information for Fluzone, Flublok, or Fluzone High-Dose. Also, please see complete Patient Information for Fluzone or Fluzone High-Dose.

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