Seqirus today, in partnership with leading health care provider advocacy organizations, announced the launch of Be FLUent, a collaborative initiative that brings together nurse practitioners, physician assistants and pharmacists to drive dialogue about influenza (flu) prevention between health care providers and their patients age 65 and older.
“We’re proud to be partnering with the American Pharmacists Association, the American Nurse Practitioner Foundation and the Physician Assistant Foundation to elevate the importance of flu prevention in older adults,” said Gregg C. Sylvester, MD, MPH, Global Head, Medical Affairs, Seqirus. “Flu can be very serious, and as the second largest influenza vaccine provider in the world and a major contributor to the prevention of flu globally, Seqirus is committed to helping protect this high-risk population.”
“Meeting the immunization needs of the patient and protecting the community from vaccine-preventable-diseases is a responsibility we take seriously,” said Mitchel Rothholz, RPh, MBA, Chief Strategy Officer, American Pharmacists Association. “The Be FLUent collaboration will arm healthcare providers with the information, tools and resources they need to help protect older adults from the flu.”
In the U.S., adults age 65 years and older are disproportionately impacted by flu every year. This group is at an elevated risk of complications from flu due to the increased likelihood of chronic conditions with age and the gradual weakening of the immune system.i Today, there are influenza vaccines developed specifically for people age 65 years and older to help address age-related weakening of the immune system.i But, despite the well-publicized risks that flu poses for older adults, U.S. flu vaccination coverage among this group has stalled.i
“The seasonal flu vaccine offers the single best protection against the flu regardless of age,” said Debra Danforth, MS, ARNP, FAANP, President and CEO, American Nurse Practitioner Foundation. “As healthcare providers on the front line of patient care, we play a key role in protecting older adults from the most serious complications of the flu.”
Each expert partner is contributing unique skills, perspectives and assets to champion flu prevention practices for older adults. Be FLUent will help ensure that PAs, NPs and pharmacists have information on the latest clinical recommendations and the tools to help them proactively discuss the importance of flu protection with their senior-aged patients. Specific resources developed as part of Be FLUent include a fact sheet for use by healthcare providers about the impact of flu on older adults, a conversation guide to assist PAs, NPs, and pharmacists in speaking with their patients age 65 and older about flu vaccination, and materials for older adults including an educational brochure about flu prevention, and a vaccination reminder card.
“Be FLUent is our opportunity to provide leadership on this crucial issue and set an example for our peers across the country,” said Jim Cawley, MPH, PA-C, President, Physician Assistant Foundation.
About the Be FLUent Partners
American Nurse Practitioner Foundation (ANPF) connects nurse practitioners to the tools and resources they need to provide excellent, accessible health care to patients. ANPF funds NP education and research, delivers relevant disease state information to NPs and their patients, and highlights NP humanitarian efforts and contributions. ANPF seeks to engage all American NPs as they lead the way in delivering access to safe, high-quality care to an ever-growing patient population. ANPF connects nurse practitioners to the tools and resources they need to provide excellent, accessible health care to patients.
American Pharmacists Association (APhA) is the largest association of pharmacists in the United States, with more than 64,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians as members. As the voice of pharmacy, the American Pharmacists Association leads the profession and equips members for their role as the medication expert in team-based, patient-centered care. APhA is dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use, advance patient care, and enhance public health. For more information, please visit www.pharmacist.com.
Physician Assistant Foundation (PA Foundation) is a national nonprofit organization affiliated with the American Academy of PAs and promotes better health and wellness by connecting the clinical expertise and compassion of PAs to community healthcare needs.
About Seqirus
Seqirus is part of CSL Limited (ASX:CSL), headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. The CSL Group of companies employs more than 16,000 people with operations in more than 30 countries.
Seqirus was established on 31 July 2015 following CSL’s acquisition of the Novartis influenza vaccines business and its subsequent integration with bioCSL. As the second largest influenza vaccine provider in the world, Seqirus is a major contributor to the prevention of influenza globally and a transcontinental partner in pandemic preparedness.
Seqirus operates state-of-the-art production facilities in the U.S., the UK and Australia, and manufactures influenza vaccines using both egg-based and cell-based technologies. It has leading R&D capabilities, a broad portfolio of differentiated products and a commercial presence in more than 20 countries.
For more information visit www.seqirus.com and www.csl.com.
Media Contact
KYNE on behalf of Be FLUent
Ilana Yellen
212-594-5500
iyellen@KYNE.com
- Call to Action: Reinvigorating Influenza Prevention in US Adults Age 65 Years and Older. National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. http://www.nfid.org/flu-older-adults