“The Season” is almost upon us … flu season, that is.
Certain groups are at an increased risk for serious complications from the flu, including adults 50 years of age and older and those with chronic health conditions, and that’s why Bridgewater-based Sanofi teamed up with Ice-T on a very important public health announcement.
In a recently released trailer called “The Season,” Sanofi and the rapper/actor tap into suspenseful movie tropes to educate older adults, particularly those with chronic health conditions, about the risks associated with the flu.
The Season is part of a national flu vaccination campaign from Sanofi and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. The campaign encourages older adults, particularly those with one or more underlying health conditions, to speak with their health care provider about flu vaccine options that may be right for them.
“As a rapper, actor, husband and father, I don’t get a lot of sick days, so it’s critical for me to get my flu shot every year,” Ice-T said. “Now that I’m 65, I’ve learned that the flu can potentially cause more complications for me, and that higher-dose flu shots may give me better protection. This is why I am so excited to be partnering with Sanofi so that I can help deliver this important public health message.”
“The flu can be a serious public health threat and lead to complications such as heart attack, stroke and pneumonia. These can be especially dangerous for older adults, ethnic and racial minority groups who are at an increased risk for being hospitalized from the flu, and those living with chronic conditions, like asthma, diabetes and heart disease,” Dr. Michael Greenberg, North America medical head of vaccines at Sanofi, said.
The U.S. may face a resurgence of flu this year. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, preliminary results for the 2022-2023 season indicate approximately 70 per 100,000 people aged 18 and older were hospitalized for flu in the U.S. The rate was more than double in adults aged 65 and older.
It’s important for those who bear the greatest burden of the flu — people age 65 years and older — to get vaccinated. Since 2010, the CDC estimates that between 50% and 70% of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations occurred in this age group.
