Beiruting News

Sanofi Pasteur, world's largest influenza vaccine manufacturer, launched in partnership with the Beirut Arab University (BAU) an awareness campaign to educate students, faculty and staff members on the importance of the influenza vaccination to improve the body's immune defense against the virus. The campaign was announced during a press conference held at BAU Beirut campus headed by Dr Amr Galal El-Adawi, President of the BAU and attended by faculty deans, students and members of the press.

Influenza is a serious respiratory illness¹. Each year, 3 million to 5 million cases of severe illness are reported worldwide. Depending on virus virulence during the influenza season, influenza associated deaths can range from 250,000 to 500,000 people² worldwide. In Europe, in the absence of vaccination, the annual burden related to influenza was estimated at 22 million cases, 3.5 million flu-associated hospitalizations and 171,000 flu-associated deaths³. Currently seasonal influenza vaccination prevents on average between 1.6 million and 2.1 million cases of influenza, 45,300 to 65,600 hospitalizations, and 25,200 to 37,200 deaths every year ⁴.The World Health Organization recommends vaccination to help prevent influenza for everyone six months of age and older.

Influenza is a highly contagious disease that often reaches epidemic proportions. Influenza epidemics occur yearly during autumn and winter months in temperate regions⁵. Influenza viruses are very infectious and are easily transmitted from person to person through air droplets projected by coughing and sneezing. The virus can also be spread by shaking hands or touching surfaces contaminated with the virus⁵. The incubation period averages 2 days (range 1-4 days) ⁶. Infected adult individuals are contagious from the day before symptoms appear until 5 days after onset of the illness ^6-7, and severely immuno-compromised persons can shed the virus for weeks or months⁷.

Part of a large community, university students are efficient transmitters of influenza viruses and typically manifest the highest rates of infection and illness. This is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend receiving the vaccine as soon as it is available to help with prevention even before the season begins. ⁸

"Sanofi Pasteur is at the forefront of influenza vaccine innovation," said Marwan Sherif, Sanofi Pasteur Lebanon & Jordan country Manager. "Our legacy for researching and manufacturing influenza vaccines has existed for nearly 70 years, demonstrating our experience and commitment to this important public health need. We are dedicated to continuously improving our influenza vaccine options to ultimately help protect against influenza strains, including drifted strains that may occur in the future".

Mr. Sherif added "Sanofi Pasteur, from its position as one of the leaders in the vaccine industry, is keen on playing an active role as a public health partner to enhance community health. And today with BAU, we are protecting students and staff from a highly contagious disease through awareness and vaccination."

"Under the patronage of the president Professor Dr. Amr El Adawi, the faculty of Medicine at Beirut Arab University is pleased to organize the influenza vaccination campaign that will take place in Beirut campus, where flu shot would be offered to faculty staff and students. This event is of importance as universities are well known to be crowded and the influenza virus is a highly contagious and easily spread virus which may lead to serious complications and hence protecting against it is essential", said Professor Dr. Najlaa Mashaal Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.

"Seasonal influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness that is caused by influenza viruses which infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness and may lead to serious complications", said Dr. Hala Ahmadieh, Senior Lecturer of Internal Medicine at Beirut Arab University.

"Complications of influenza may include viral pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia, sinus infections, and worsening of previous health problems such as asthma or heart failure. The first and most important step in preventing the flu is to get a flu vaccination each year which is recommended for anyone 6 months of age and older. Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies would therefore provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season", she added.

Dr. Hala Ahmadieh concluded: "Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses and prevent flu-related hospitalizations and complications by about 50% to 60% among the overall population. CDC recommends the use of injectable influenza vaccines (including inactivated influenza vaccines and recombinant influenza vaccines) during 2016-2017 which should be offered throughout the flu season, starting in September up till end of January. Given the importance of the influenza vaccination in order to reduce the chance of influenza virus spread in crowded areas such as universities, the injectable influenza vaccination will be offered to faculty and students of Beirut Arab University".

The BAU Flu awareness campaign is set to run during the month of October enabling students and faculty members to get influenza vaccines inside their campuses all over Lebanon. Educational booths headed by volunteers from the faculty of medicine will expand the campaign outreach inciting students to take a stand against influenza.