Healthy Habits - Flu and Other Respiratory Illnesses

In preparation for the upcoming holiday season and the in-person gatherings that come with it, friends and families should remember it’s never too late to practice proper hygiene and get immunized to help protect against respiratory illnesses, like flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and whooping cough.

Anyone can catch the flu, but an annual flu vaccination in the fall can help reduce the severity of infection., The flu can lead to serious complications, like pneumonia, heart attack, and stroke, for older adults and people with certain chronic health conditions are at higher risk.,,,, There are specific flu vaccines to help protect eligible populations like Sanofi higher-dose flu vaccines – Fluzone® High-Dose (Influenza Vaccine) and Flublok® (Influenza Vaccine)., Fluzone, Flublok, and Fluzone High-Dose are vaccines indicated for active immunization for the prevention of disease caused by influenza A subtype viruses and type B virus contained in the vaccine.8,9, Fluzone is approved for use in persons 6 months of age and older, Flublok for 18 years of age and older and Fluzone High-Dose for 65 years of age and older. Flublok or Fluzone High-Dose should not be given to anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine (including egg or egg products for Fluzone High-Dose). In addition, Fluzone High-Dose should not be given to anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of any influenza vaccine.

The season can also bring an increase in cases of serious lung infections caused by RSV in babies., As family and friends gather for the holidays it’s important to be aware that RSV can be spread from a kiss or touching a shared toy. Parents can immunize their babies with Beyfortus® (nirsevimab-alip) 50mg and 100mg injection, a preventative antibody that helps provide an extra layer of protection against serious RSV lung infections for babies. Beyfortus helps prevent a serious lung infection disease caused by RSV in babies under 1 year of age born during or entering their first RSV season, and certain kids up to 24 months.​ Your child should not take Beyfortus if your child has a history of serious allergic reactions to nirsevimab-“a-l-i-p” or any of the ingredients in Beyfortus. Beyfortus may not protect all children. Parents should know that while severe RSV is rare, it is the leading cause of hospitalization in babies under age 1 and can go from cold-like symptoms to hospitalization in less than a week, even in babies who are born healthy and full term.

And while respiratory illnesses are top of mind, it’s a good time to ensure that eligible members of the family are up to date with a Tdap vaccine, such as Adacel® (Tdap vaccine), to help combat the risk of whooping cough (pertussis). In addition to whooping cough, Tdap vaccines help prevent diphtheria and tetanus. Adacel is a vaccine indicated for:
active booster immunization against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Adacel is approved for use in persons 10 through 64 years of age.
immunization during the third trimester of pregnancy to prevent pertussis in infants younger than 2 months of age.
Severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of Adacel or any other diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid and pertussis antigen-containing vaccine.
While whooping cough rates had been weaning in over the years, infection rates are now increasing rapidly. This respiratory condition can cause uncontrollable, violent coughing, making it hard to breathe. It can be extremely serious, even deadly, in babies and young children.

In this interview, Dr. Kerry-Anne Perkins, Board-Certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB-GYN) and Dr. Sean Leng, Geriatric Medicine & Infectious Disease Expert, discuss several preventative actions we can all do to help avoid getting sick this season from washing your hands and covering your mouth to immunizations to help protect eligible patients – and some of our most vulnerable populations – from these respiratory illnesses this season.


This interview opportunity is provided by Sanofi




Dr. Kerry-Anne Perkins, Board-Certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB-GYN)

Dr. Kerry-Anne Perkins has a comprehensive background in obstetrics and gynecology that makes her dynamic and impactful in the communities she serves. Dr. Perkins is clinically proficient in minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of diseases of the female reproductive tract including abnormal uterine bleeding and uterine fibroids. She has extensive expertise in high-risk pregnancies and contraceptive care.

Dr. Perkins is a native of Jamaica, W.I. She received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology-Exercise and Sports Science from Temple University. She has a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) and an Executive Master in Business Administration from Saint Joseph’s University. She received her medical degree from PCOM and completed her internship and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Saint John’s Episcopal Hospital in Queens, New York. In addition to her medical practice, Dr. Perkins is a Captain in the United States Army.

As an avid scientific researcher with over 16 research publications and abstracts, Dr. Perkins has notable honors and awards for her innovative contributions to the research community. Dr. Perkins is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She is also a member of the American Medical Association and American Osteopathic Association.

When she’s not at work, Dr. Perkins enjoys traveling, exercising, teaching as a fitness instructor, and spending time with her family. She also has a passion and commitment for global maternal health needs. She enjoys medical missions serving in clinics and hospitals around the world. Her most recent missions include Ghana, Africa, and Jamaica, W.I.

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Dr. Sean Leng, Geriatric Medicine & Infectious Disease Expert

Dr. Sean X. Leng is a professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His areas of clinical expertise include geriatric medicine.

Dr. Leng earned his M.D. from Jiangxi Medical College and his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center. He completed his residency at Mount Sinai St. Luke's - Roosevelt Hospitals and performed a fellowship in geriatric medicine and gerontology at Johns Hopkins.

His research interests include international collaborative development of geriatrics and aging research programs.

In 2006 Dr. Leng received the Paul Beeson Career Development Award in Aging Research, one of the most prestigious in the field of geriatric research.

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FLUZONE (Influenza Vaccine), FLUBLOK (Influenza Vaccine), AND FLUZONE HIGH-DOSE (Influenza Vaccine) 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
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-Doseother 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.
Click here to learn more about Sanofi’s commitment to fighting counterfeit drugs.
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BEYFORTUS (nirsevimab-alip) 50mg and 100mg injection, INDICATION
Beyfortus is a prescription medicine used to help prevent a serious lung disease caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in:
Newborns and babies under 1 year of age born during or entering their first RSV season.
Children up to 24 months of age who remain at risk of severe RSV disease through their second RSV season.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Your child should not take Beyfortus if your child has a history of serious allergic reactions to nirsevimab-alip or any of the ingredients in Beyfortus.
Before your child receives Beyfortus, tell your healthcare provider about all of your child’s medical conditions, including if your child:
has ever had a reaction to Beyfortus.
has bleeding or bruising problems. If your child has a problem with bleeding or bruises easily, an injection could cause a problem.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines your child takes, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Your infant should not receive a medicine called palivizumab if they have already received Beyfortus in the same RSV season.
Serious allergic reactions have happened with Beyfortus. Get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:
swelling of the face, mouth, or tongue
difficulty swallowing or breathing
unresponsiveness
bluish color of skin, lips, or under fingernails
muscle weakness
severe rash, hives, or itching
The most common side effects of Beyfortus include rash and pain, swelling, or hardness at the site of your child’s injection. These are not all the possible side effects of Beyfortus. Call your healthcare provider if you have questions about side effects.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information, for more details.

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ADACEL (Tdap vaccine) INDICATION
Adacel is a vaccine indicated for:
active booster immunization against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Adacel is approved for use in persons 10 through 64 years of age.
immunization during the third trimester of pregnancy to prevent pertussis in infants younger than 2 months of age.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Adacel is contraindicated in persons who have had a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any other tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid, or pertussis containing vaccine, or to any component of Adacel; or encephalopathy within 7 days of a previous dose of a pertussis containing vaccine with no other identifiable cause.
Epinephrine hydrochloride solution (1:1,000) and other appropriate agents and equipment must be available for immediate use in case an anaphylactic or acute hypersensitivity reaction occurs.
If Guillain-Barré syndrome or brachial neuritis has occurred within 6 weeks following previous vaccination with a tetanus toxoid or if progressive or unstable neurologic disorders exist, the decision to give Adacel should be based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks.
Persons who experienced an Arthus-type hypersensitivity reaction following a prior dose of tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine should not receive Adacel unless at least 10 years have elapsed since the last dose of tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine.
Some individuals with altered immunocompetence, including receiving immunosuppressant therapy, may have reduced immune responses to Adacel.
Syncope can occur in association with administration of injectable vaccines, including Adacel. Procedures should be in place to prevent falling injury and manage syncopal reactions.
After the first and second dose of Adacel, the most frequently reported solicited reactions were pain, swelling, and erythema at the injection site; headache, body ache or muscle weakness, tiredness, myalgia, and malaise.

Other adverse reactions may occur. Vaccination with Adacel may not protect all individuals.

Please click to see full Prescribing Information.

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