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SWIFTWATER, Pa. — Sanofi Pasteur is looking to round up "FLUgitives" — people who haven’t yet been vaccinated against the flu this season.
The company said Thursday that "The FLUgitives" campaign aims to encourage more Americans to get their annual flu shot.
According to Sanofi, the initiative uses social media to drive more people to protect themselves against the flu by getting vaccinated and features four "FLUgitives" whom everyone might know: the Scaredy Cat (whose anxiety about everything delays him getting a vaccine he knows he needs); the Turbo Mom (whose hectic schedule leaves little time for focusing on her own health); the Latest and Greatest Guy (who wants the newest version of everything but has yet to learn about the latest in vaccine-delivery technology); and the Fitness Fanatic (who puts his workout before anything else, including his health).
FLUgitives can "turn themselves or others in" by visiting the campaign Facebook page at FLUgitives.com, Sanofi said. There, they can access and share humorous and informational videos and e-cards to encourage other FLUgitives to get their yearly flu vaccination. They can also see just how bad they and their friends could look if they get the flu by using the FLUify photo app at FLUgitives.com/fluify. In addition, they can follow @FLUgitives on Twitter via the hashtag #FLUgitives.
Each year in the United States, one in five people, or up to 20% of the population, gets the flu and an estimated 226,000 people are hospitalized from influenza-related complications, Sanofi reported
"Because flu season can begin as early as October and last through May, the best prevention for those planning to get their annual flu shot is to get it as early as possible in the season,i allowing your body time to build up its immunity," stated Carlos Picone, M.D., and vice-chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C. "There’s no need to be a FLUgitive this year. Speak with your health care provider about vaccination and your vaccination options, including Fluzone Intradermal vaccine."
Sanofi Pasteur’s Fluzone Intradermal vaccine uses a tiny needle to quickly deliver flu vaccine just under the skin’s surface, rather than injecting the vaccine into the muscle.
