From the Frontline to the Pharmacy Line: A Perspective on Immunization
By Thinus Marais, MD, Senior Medical Director: Influenza & COVID, Sanofi Vaccines North America
As I was waiting for my updated COVID booster shot, I found myself in good company. Looking around, I saw people in line who were at all stages of life – an older couple, a pregnant woman, a family with a new baby – who are all potentially waiting to get an immunization or vaccine to help protect themselves from one illness or another.
What I found interesting about the mix of people I saw is they appeared to have a common denominator – they could be at high risk for complications from respiratory illnesses.1,2,3,4,5
While respiratory illnesses can pose a threat to anyone, they’re especially dangerous to some of the most vulnerable members of society such as:
- Older adults who are at higher risk of serious flu and flu-related complications such as pneumonia and hospitalization.1,6,7
- Pregnant women for whom catching the flu can result in severe illness as well.8
- Babies, particularly infants, are vulnerable to diseases like RSV and whooping cough. 2,4 Although severe RSV is rare, it’s the leading cause of hospitalization for babies under age 1.2
Fortunately, we have one of the most effective tools to help prevent disease at our disposal – immunizations.9
Hearkening back to my school days playing rugby, I like to think of immunizations as the star defensive player in the fight against respiratory illnesses. Immunizations can be effective at reducing disease transmission, disease burden, and complications for respiratory illnesses.1-5
Sticking to the sports analogy it takes multiple players to make a successful team. This was evident at a recent press conference held by the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases (NFID) that brought together public and private stakeholders to raise awareness on the importance of immunization ahead of the respiratory season. I was fortunate to receive my annual flu vaccine at a vaccine clinic held at the press conference.
But viruses are constantly changing and mutating, so the strategies we use to battle illnesses must evolve as well.10
Vaccines and immunizations can help protect people from respiratory illnesses, like flu, RSV, and whooping cough.1-5
Progress inspired by passion
At Sanofi, much of the work we do takes into account the ever-changing disease landscape, meaning we take a holistic approach to research and development to ensure that we’re doing our best to stay at the cutting-edge of innovation and producing immunizations that can help provide protection against diseases at different stages of life.
Vaccines and immunizations are essential to help maintain healthy communities and I’m proud to be on offensive line in the fight against illnesses.11 Understanding how to help protect you and your family is the first step. I encourage you to learn more about the importance of immunization against infectious respiratory illnesses like flu, RSV, and whooping cough.
References
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People at Higher Risk of Flu Complications. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm. Accessed October 2024.
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RSV in infants and young children. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/infants-young-children/https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/infants-young-children/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/infants-young-children.html. Accessed October 2024
3 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RSV in older adults. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/older-adults/index.html. Accessed October 2024.
4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Whooping Cough. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/index.html. Accessed October 2024.
5 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tdap Vaccination for Pregnant People. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/vaccines/tdap-vaccination-for-pregnant-people.html. Accessed October 2024.
6 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu & People with Asthma. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/asthma.html. Accessed October 2024.
7 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu & People 65 Years and Older. Available at: https://cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/65over.htm. Accessed October 2024.
8 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu Vaccine Safety and Pregnancy. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccine-safety/vaccine-pregnant.html.
9 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fast Facts on Global Immunization. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/global-immunization/fast-facts/index.html. Accessed October 2024.
10 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Covid-19. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/covid/about/index.html. Accessed October 2024.
11 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Immunizations for Respiratory Viruses Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/immunizations.html. Accessed October 2024.