Flu season right around the corner - are you vaccinated?
Flu season right around the corner – are you vaccinated?
- New Influenza Vaccine INFLUVAC® Now Available to Protect Canadians -
Markham, Ontario (October 27, 2005) − With flu season quickly approaching, Canadians now have access to a new influenza vaccine. Influvac®, distributed by Solvay Pharma, and recently approved by Health Canada, is a sub-unit vaccine indicated for the prevention of influenza in adults 18-years of age and older. Influvac® is now available through flu vaccination providers.
“Influenza vaccination is a key way to reduce absenteeism and address loss of productivity in the workplace. As one of Canada’s largest providers of workplace vaccinations, we understand the importance of working with Canadian employers to make it as easy as possible to have their staff vaccinated, conveniently in their own work environment,” said Dr. Judith Shamian, President and CEO of the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) Canada. “To that end, VON welcomes Solvay Pharma as Canada’s newest vaccine provider. Influvac® will provide another option to help our organization meet the growing private-market demand for annual flu immunization across the country,” added Dr. Shamian.
An estimated 10 to 25 per cent of Canadians may get the flu each year (1) According to Health Canada, the most effective way Canadians can protect themselves from the flu is to be vaccinated each year in the fall (2). Vaccination prevents infection in
70 per cent or more of the healthy adult population (aged < 65 years) and can prevent pneumonia and hospitalization in about 60 per cent of the elderly.(3)
“We at Solvay Pharma are very pleased to be involved in the flu prevention strategy with the introduction of Influvac® to Canada. This new product ensures there is an increased supply of vaccine across the country to address the growing need for protection against influenza,” said Dr. Laurence Downey, CEO, Solvay Pharma Inc. “We believe the arrival of Influvac® in Canada will help keep the public safely protected this season.”
INFLUVAC® CANADA’S NEWEST INFLUENZA VACCINE
Influvac® (influenza vaccine, surface antigen, inactivated), which is the only thimerosal-free sub-unit vaccine available in Canada, is easily administered by a
single dose, pre-filled, patented syringe. Influvac® is currently available in more than 50 countries.
Solvay Pharma Inc. has been one of the leading influenza vaccine companies in the world for more than 50 years. Over the last five years, more than 100 million doses of Influvac® were distributed worldwide.
INFLUENZA – INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE
Influenza (or flu) is a common respiratory illness affecting millions of Canadians each year.(4) In Canada, flu season usually runs from November to April. It is estimated that 500 to 1500 Canadians (mostly seniors) will die every year from pneumonia related to flu as well as many other serious complications of flu.4
ABOUT SOLVAY PHARMA INC.
Solvay Pharma Inc. is a research-based pharmaceutical company, active in the therapeutic areas of cardiology, gastroenterology, mental health, men's health, influenza vaccine and a select group of specialized markets. It is headquartered in Markham, Ontario with a manufacturing facility in Victoriaville, Quebec. Solvay Pharma Inc. is a part of the internationally oriented Solvay Pharmaceuticals organization whose core activities consist of discovering, developing and manufacturing medicines for human use. Solvay Pharmaceuticals is a member of the worldwide Solvay Group of chemical and pharmaceutical companies, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. For further information please seewww.solvaypharma.ca.
