The 2023/2024 season quadrivalent influenza vaccine manufactured by Sanofi has been delivered to pharmacies and private clinics.
According to Sanofi in its press release, the influenza vaccine supplied to Ukraine is suitable for protecting adults, including pregnant women, as well as adolescents and children aged 6 months and older. In addition, it provides passive protection for infants up to 6 months of age when administered to pregnant women.
According to Anna Pastushyna, Head of Sanofi Vaccines in Ukraine, the 2022/2023 season saw an increased demand for vaccines due to the high prevalence of influenza after the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
“The company plans to fulfill its obligations to supply influenza vaccine in the countries where it operates,” she emphasized.
For his part, Fedir Lapiy, head of the National Technical Group of Experts on Immunization, noted that “influenza can worsen a number of pre-existing chronic respiratory disorders, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.”
“Adults over the age of 40 are eight times more likely to have a first stroke after being infected with influenza, while in children under 14, influenza increases the risk of pneumonia eightfold. Almost every third elderly person hospitalized with influenza develops pneumonia. And for people with diabetes, the risk of hospitalization during the flu epidemic is six times higher,” he said.
As reported, according to the Center for Public Health (CDC), 3.9 million cases of influenza and more than 140 thousand hospitalizations caused by the influenza virus were reported during the previous flu season of 2022/2023 (from September 2022 to April 2023).
“Sanofi is an innovative global healthcare company operating in 100 countries.
As reported, 151,100 thousand doses of the French influenza vaccine and 114.6 thousand doses of the Korean vaccine will be supplied in the 2023/24 epidemic season.
