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WHAT IS FLU? Influenza, commonly known as flu, is a highly contagious, acute, viral respiratory infection caused by a virus - myxovirus influenzae. Often considered as a benign respiratory disease, the flu can trigger severe complications from pre-existing illness.1
HOW DOES ONE GET IT? Influenza viruses are transmitted from one person to another through the inhalation of respiratory droplets or contact with respiratory secretions. 1 FACT: According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, the number of influenzarelated deaths ranges between 250,000 and 500,000 per year. 1

THE SANOFI PASTEUR CORPORATE e-NEWSLETTER 2013 VOL 1.1

Among healthy adults, influenza vaccine can prevent 70% to 90% of influenza-specific illness. Among the elderly, the vaccine reduces severe illness and complications by up to 60%, and deaths by 80%. WHO
http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/use/en/

HOW CAN I PREVENT IT? Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection and severe outcomes caused by influenza viruses.2 DID YOU KNOW? that each year, the composition of influenza vaccines is adapted according to the dominant strains in circulation as recommended by WHO. This year, the Southern Hemisphere, WHO recommended strains3 include : A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus

THIS IS A SERVICE REMINDER. PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR CLINIC FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VACCINE OR LOG ON TO www.sanofipasteur.com

1. http://www.sanofipasteur.com/sanofi-pasteur4/index.jsp?siteCode=SP_CORP4&codeRubrique=29&codePage=PAG_29_1252430162105&lang=EN 2. http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/use/en/ 3. http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/recommendations/2012south/en/