Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, has now embarked on an initiative to educate parents in India about the seriousness of influenza and preventing it amongst young children.

Considering the grave impact of the disease across India in the beginning of 2015, the company has roped in film actor and director Farhan Akhtar to spread awareness about flu prevention via mass media and in-clinic as well.

Speaking about the initiative, Jean-Pierre Baylet, Country Head - Sanofi Pasteur India, said, that influenza is a serious and contagious disease that often gets mistaken for common cold. As seen during the early part of the year, influenza outbreaks can cause significant morbidity and mortality and strain the health care system. According to the WHO, the principal way of reducing Influenza burden is by vaccination. However, lack of awareness is a limiting factor in vaccine usage.

Seasonal influenza is a contagious respiratory illness, caused by viruses, peaking during monsoons and winter, sometimes assuming epidemic proportions. Children under 5 years; immune-compromised individuals particularly those with HIV, AIDS or cancer; pregnant women; elderly people and asthmatics are at high risk e.

According to Dr. Bhaskar Shenoy, consultant paediatrician and chief, division of paediatric infectious diseases, Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru, in India anti-flu vaccination is only adopted as a contingency measure during outbreaks and not as a necessary preventive measure. High risk populations especially children in India are must be routinely and regularly vaccinated against influenza because the disease can lead to some serious life threatening complications. The flu vaccine is clinically proven to be a safe and effective prevention tool and should be taken annually.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), annually influenza affects 5-15% of the global population but the rates can reach 40 – 50% in high risk groups. In India, millions are increasingly exposed to influenza and its life threatening health complications. During the recent outbreak early this year, the virus affected around 33,000 people, with over 2000 fatal cases.

Since 2011, under its corporate initiative, ‘I for Immunisation’, Sanofi Pasteur India has conducted various awareness drives, such as launching a Facebook page called ‘Mothers against flu’; multiple contests to generate ideas for increasing immunization awareness and rural awareness programs in Gujarat and urban schools across the country wherein parents, students, and teachers have been educated about the importance and ways of prevention against diseases such as flu.