We are pleased to announce that beginning October 11, 2010 all new orders for Fluzone® High-Dose (Influenza Virus Vaccine) will be 100% returnable upon expiration for the 2010-2011 influenza season. The goal of this promotion is to eliminate any concern you might have that it is too late to implement Fluzone High-Dose vaccine for all patients 65 years of age and older who still need to be immunized.
While we are confident that there is significant opportunity for continued uptake of Fluzone High-Dose vaccine as 90% of claims for people 65 years of age and older typically occur between October and December, we believe this promotion will remove any concerns you might have regarding the financial risk associated with any unused doses of Fluzone High-Dose vaccine.
Additionally, if you place an order for Fluzone High-Dose vaccine, it will ship immediately and thereby maximize your opportunities to immunize those patients 65 years of age and older.
As a reminder, Fluzone High-Dose vaccine was designed specifically to generate a more robust immune response against influenza in people 65 years of age and older. Understanding that this vaccine is included in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' influenza immunization recommendations and is a payable benefit under Medicare Part B, you now have a new tool to help prevent influenza in your patients.
Sanofi Pasteur continues to ship Fluzone (Influenza Virus Vaccine) and the 6-week window of visibility to future shipments is available. Sanofi Pasteur expects to completely ship your current Fluzone vaccine reservations by the week of November 8, 2010.
If you would like to speak to a representative to learn more about Fluzone vaccine or Fluzone High-Dose vaccine, contact your sanofi pasteur representative or call 1-800-VACCINE (1-800-822-2463).
Consider the Facts:
Influenza Disease Information
People 65 years of age and older are more likely to die or be hospitalized from influenza and its complications than younger adults. While those 65 years of age and older only represent about 15% of the US population, they account, on average, for 90% of all deaths due to seasonal influenza and its complications. Recent studies indicate that one of the reasons for this disproportionate burden is that people 65 years of age and older have weakened immune systems and do not respond to the standard-dose influenza vaccine as well as younger adults.1,2
Fluzone High-Dose Vaccine Information
In a pivotal clinical trial which included patients 65-97 years of age, Fluzone High-Dose vaccine produced up to 80% greater higher antibody titers than Fluzone vaccine.3
This vaccine was licensed under the Food and Drug Administration's accelerated approval process. This process is used for products for serious and life-threatening diseases to address an unmet medical need as is the case for patients 65 years of age and older who suffer a disproportionate burden due to influenza and its complications.
Indication Fluzone High-Dose vaccine is an inactivated influenza virus vaccine indicated for active immunization of persons 65 years of age and older against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine. This indication is based on the immune response elicited by Fluzone High-Dose vaccine; there have been no controlled clinical studies demonstrating a decrease in influenza disease after vaccination with Fluzone High-Dose vaccine.
Safety Information
The most common local and systemic adverse reactions to Fluzone High-Dose vaccine include soreness, pain, and swelling at the vaccination site; fever, headache, malaise, and myalgia. Other adverse reactions may occur. Fluzone High-Dose vaccine should not be administered to anyone with a history of hypersensitivity to any vaccine component, including eggs, and egg products. The decision to give Fluzone High-Dose vaccine should be based on the potential benefits and risks, especially if Guillain-Barré syndrome has occurred within 6 weeks of receipt of a prior influenza vaccine. The tip caps of the prefilled syringes may contain natural rubber latex which may cause allergic reactions in latex sensitive individuals. Vaccination with Fluzone High-Dose vaccine may not protect all individuals.
Before administering Fluzone High-Dose vaccine, please click here to see accompanying full Prescribing Information.
Sincerely,
Sanofi Pasteur
References: 1. Monto AS, Ansaldi F, Aspinall R, et al. Influenza control in the 21st century: optimizing protection of older adults. Vaccine. 2009;27:5043. 2. Poland GA, Mulligan MJ. The imperative of influenza vaccines for elderly individuals-an evolving story. J Infect Dis. 2009:200:61-163.3. Fluzone Vaccine [Prescribing Information]. Swiftwater, PA: Sanofi Pasteur Inc.; 2010.
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